L'uomo di paglia (1958)

Andrea is the father of a family about to go through a typically bourgeois drama. A skilled factory worker in his forties, he goes to work every day, politely greeting the neighbors he meets on the landing. As happens in the city’s “beehives,” Andrea happens to meet Rita, a young woman who has lived in his apartment building for some time, on a Sunday at the seaside. They exchange a few words, but it is the beginning of an all-consuming passion. Although she is already engaged, Rita is also attracted to this man, in whom she sees the same desire for a free and total love—a desire to which she eventually surrenders. But Andrea is a man divided in two: he sincerely loves the young woman, yet at the same time cannot bring himself to break completely with his family ties, until he decides to end their relationship. The brief flame burned intensely, then went out completely. But Rita cannot live without him, and so she kills herself. Andrea feels guilty about betraying his wife and, in order to free himself of the burden, tells her everything. Overwhelmed by the truth, Luisa cannot accept it and leaves her husband, taking their son with her. Andrea goes on living in despair and without peace until, on the night of December 31, he finds his wife at home with their son. Everything seems as it was before: his wife has forgiven him, and life apparently returns to its usual course; but in the glances Andrea and Luisa exchange, the indelible trace of the tragedy that upended their lives will remain.