gridoon2018 Considering that about 90% of a "A Pure Formality" takes place inside a decrepit police station, the writer-director, Giuseppe Tornatore, does a good job of preventing it from feeling too static (with the help of some brilliantly edited fractured flashbacks). What starts as a typical police procedural turns into something more philosophical, symbolic, powerful. It wouldn't be far off the mark to call this a two-hour episode of "The Twilight Zone", and as such it is as exhausting at times as the night of interrogation is for Gerard Depardieu. But it pays off, and the two stars (well, one star and one famous director in a rare starring role) are well-matched. *** out of 4.

Dennis Littrell I watched this with some fascination waiting for something to happened. Nothing did. Since it stars Roman Polanski and Gerard Depardieu I stayed with it until the very end. The ending is a bit of a surprise. At first I didn't realize what had happened, but my subconscious mind worked on it and at three o'clock in the morning I woke up and realized what had happened. Consequently much of the mystery and confusion (in my mind) about the film was cleared up.However my guess is that "Une pura formalita" will be for most viewers a very boring movie. Typical of many French films it is full of talk, talk and more talk like a Romer flick. Only difference is there is no sex and no female characters. In a way it's a guy kind of film like a war movie but without the action.Polanski plays a police inspector. Call him Leonardo. Depardieu plays Onoff a famous writer who is suspected of murder. Polanski interrogates Depardieu. That's ninety percent of the film. There are some flashed-backed, indistinct scenes and some other police persons, in particular a young policeman pounding an old manual typewriter as the two leads talk. That's about it. Depardieu's character can't remember things. Polanski's character who, as it happens, is a big fan of Onoff nonetheless suspects that Onoff is lying.There's a storm and a blackout and incessant rain. The old country police station leaks. Candles all about in the semi-darkness. Water drips down into bowls and cups. Still nothing happens. Finally we have the surprise ending. I say "surprise ending" rather than "trick ending" because it was foreshadowed and I should have seen it coming.—Dennis Littrell, author of the film review collection, "Cut to the Chaise Lounge or I Can't Believe I Swallowed the Remote"

cdngo I watched this movie a handful of years back and absolutely loved it. The taut relationship between Roman Polanski's character and Depardieu's was enjoyable to watch. I only wish it was on DVD, as I'd love to see it again. Does anyone know if it will be coming out on DVD? Or who can I contact to push this along? When first seeing this film, I had never seen Mr. Polanski in front of the camera. Nor had I seen Gerard Depardieu in a more dramatic role. I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. I don't recall there being too many scene changes. Again, a very good film to watch. Maybe one day it will be on DVD.

jstar69 i watched this after a recommendation, and after reviewing user comments on IMDb, although a little hesitant and skeptical, felt it would be worth a watch. My conclusion? a pretty mediocre film. although the dialogue was exceptional, the ending was pretty witty but a little disappointing. Throughout the film, the setting and mystery felt like it was leading the viewer to a more suspenseful and/or shocking ending, instead i sat there feeling cheated! My first impression was "Is that it??"Having seen the Sixth Sense before viewing this film, i felt that it was a step back from Sixth Sense, although a Pure Fomality was done before it. Therefore the Sixth Sense surpasses everything that a Pure Formality is, with the exception of dialogue. If u want to watch a film about life and death without having the fuss of reading subtitles, watch the Sixth Sense; its more worthwhile!