The Seduction of Mimi

Play trailer

The Seduction of Mimi

R,

1974,

1h 52m,

Comedy/

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

88%

8 Reviews

Tomatometer

76%

500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

8 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

This raucous sex comedy that brought international fame to director Lina Wertmuller (Swept Away) centers on sad sack Mimi, a Sicilian laborer whose refusal to vote for the Mafia's candidate leads him to lose his job, his wife, and his home. At rock bottom, he revives his spirits by falling in love with the beautiful, radical Fiorella, with whom he starts a new life as a reliable husband and father. But the past comes back to haunt him, piling on comical complexities as all his energies surge into defending his honor, an obsession that has horrendous but hilarious consequences. A blistering satire of Italy in the 1970s, The Seduction of Mimi takes aim at a corrupt government, compromised labor leaders and the Neanderthal sexual politics of men in power, with uproarious results.

Penelope Gilliatt

The New Yorker

Mar 5, 2024

A handsomely comic and political-minded farce that in Italy, where the characters live, has deadly-serious roots.

Go to Full Review

Nora Sayre

New York Times

Oct 19, 2020

Sexual hypocrisies and political dilemmas rarely flow smoothly onto the screen. But Lina Wertmuller excels in conveying both, in The Seduction of Mimi.

Go to Full Review

Michael Talbot-Haynes

Film Threat

Jun 4, 2026

9/10

It is more of a laugh riot than anything else, a clever old-school bed hopper with classic performances by its leads.

Go to Full Review

Rosalyn Drexler

Vogue

Mar 8, 2024

2/4

It is both funny and disgusting... perhaps cruel. Truth is not always exaggeration.

Go to Full Review

Marya E. Gates

Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack)

Feb 13, 2024

If you’re a fan of Spike Lee, you can absolutely see how aspects of Wertmüller’s filmmaking have found their way into his.

Go to Full Review

John Simon

Esquire Magazine

Jul 28, 2020

At this stage of her development, the director is good at unsentimental tragedy and uncomplaisant comedy, and has an admirable visual sense.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Anakin S

Sep 28, 2017

one of those films that feels like you watched 3 films in 1 setting . picaresque tale of a horny man. a man horny for the truth!! down with facism (this time in form of gangstas), up with woman's lib, A Classico!

See more

Read all reviews

Lina Wertmüller

Director

Giancarlo Giannini

Carmelo Mardocheo detto Mimí

Mariangela Melato

Fiorella Meneghini

Agostina Belli

Rosalia Capuzzo in Mardocheo

Turi Ferro

Don Calogero

Elena Fiore

Amalia Finocchiaro

Salomé

100%

75%

Salomé

Watchlist

Last Night at the Alamo

83%

Last Night at the Alamo

Watchlist

Beware of a Holy Whore

89%

62%

Beware of a Holy Whore

Watchlist

From Nowhere

92%

80%

From Nowhere

Watchlist

TRAILER

for From Nowhere

The Garden

100%

The Garden

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Garden

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

This raucous sex comedy that brought international fame to director Lina Wertmuller (Swept Away) centers on sad sack Mimi, a Sicilian laborer whose refusal to vote for the Mafia's candidate leads him to lose his job, his wife, and his home. At rock bottom, he revives his spirits by falling in love with the beautiful, radical Fiorella, with whom he starts a new life as a reliable husband and father. But the past comes back to haunt him, piling on comical complexities as all his energies surge into defending his honor, an obsession that has horrendous but hilarious consequences. A blistering satire of Italy in the 1970s, The Seduction of Mimi takes aim at a corrupt government, compromised labor leaders and the Neanderthal sexual politics of men in power, with uproarious results.

Director: Lina Wertmüller
Screenwriter: Lina Wertmüller
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Production Co: Euro International Film (EIA) S.p.A.
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: Italian
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 18, 1974, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Apr 24, 2026
Release Date (Streaming): May 23, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $19.2K
Runtime: 1h 52m

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings