Recommended to me by Lindsay Hallam, Investigation Of A Citizen Above Suspicion (1970; Indagine su un cittadino al di sopra di ogni sospetto) has a classic theme score by Ennio Morricone, which adds to the film’s unusual tone. Better known as the bad guy from A Fistful Of Dollars and A Few More Dollars More, Gian Maria Volonte stars as a man who murders his mistress (Florinda Bolkan) at the start of the film. Turns out he is the head of the Homicide Squad, now promoted to the Political bureau. As the investigation continues into the murder, Volonte seems to mock his colleagues and superiors by covering his tracks, planting clues and interrogating innocent suspects. Rather than a giallo style thriller, director Elio Petri crafts a darkly comic, political satire, which observes the total power that government officials and bureaucrats have, intending to use it against socialist, anarchist groups. Volonte is great, balancing his performance between smug superiority and sweaty fear, all building to the bitterly ironic, surreal conclusion. Recommended.
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