Tales of Ordinary Madness

Infobox_Film
name=Storie di ordinaria follia (Tales of Ordinary Madness)


director=Marco Ferreri
producer=Jacqueline Ferreri
screenplay=Sergio Amidei
Marc Ferreri
Anthony Foutz
based from the book= "Erections, Ejaculations, Exhibitions and General Tales of Ordinary Madness" by Charles Bukowski
starring=Ben Gazzara
Ornella Muti
Susan Tyrell
Tanya Lopert
co-starring=Roy Brockstmith
Katia Berger
Hope Cameron
Judith Hughes
Wendy Welles
Lepopld Stratton
Anthony Pitillo
Jay Julien
Peter Jarvis
art director=Dante Ferretti
costume designes by=Nicoletta Ercole
film editor=Ruggero Mastroianni
director of photography=Tonino Delli Colli
music=Philippe Sarde
released=1981
runtime=101 min.
language=English
imdb_id=0086410 |

"Tales of Ordinary Madness" (it: "Storie di ordinaria follia") (fr: "Conte de la folie ordinaire") is a 1981 film by Italian director Marco Ferreri. It was shot in English in the USA, featuring Ben Gazzara and Ornella Muti in the leading roles. The film's title and subject matter are based on the works and the person of US poet Charles Bukowski.

Plot summary

The film follows the meandering (sexual) adventures of the poet and drunk, Charles Serking, laying bare the sleaze of life in the less reputable neighbourhoods of Los Angeles. Serking's life takes a turn for the better when he meets Cass, a young hooker with self destructive habits. They have a stormy relationship. When Serking gets an offer from a major publishing house, Cass tries to stop him from leaving, but fails. Serking gives in to the temptation of the big bucks, but soon realises his mistake and returns to LA only to find that Cass has killed herself in his absence. Devastated he hits the bottle in a nightmarish drinking bout, but finally reaches catharsis and returns to the seaside guesthouse where he spent his happiest moments with Cass. Here he rekindles his poetry with the aid of a young admirer in one of Ferreri's trademark beach scenes.

While successful in Europe, the film met with a lukewarm reception in the US despite its American setting.

Awards

The film won 4 David di Donatello and 2 Nastro d'Argento both including Best Director.