At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

There is a murder in a stormy night and a man (Gérard Depardieu) wandering without any protection from the heavy rain is arrested by the police with no documents. In the police station, he claims that he has a meeting with the Ministry of Culture on the next morning but he needs to wait for the Inspector (Roman Polanski). When he arrives, the man is arrogant and tells that he is the famous and reclusive writer Onoff. The Inspector is his fan and quotes many books written by him. When the Inspector interrogates Onoff, he is not able to recall his last four hours. Along the rainy night, the Inspector insists in interrogating Onoff since there was a murder nearby his house and the victim can not be identified. Who might be the victim and the killer? "Una pura formalità" is an intriguing and theatrical film that is developed basically in one location. The screenplay and dialogues keeps the viewer curious about who killed who. Gérard Depardieu and Roman Polanski have top-notch performances and their duel is worthwhile watching. Unfortunately this film has only been released on VHS in Brazil. My vote is six.Title (Brazil): "Uma Simples Formalidade" ("A Simple Formality")

The incomparable Giuseppe Tornatore, stunning Roman Polanski and magnificent Gerard Depardieu. The only way! How I can't like it!? I like films that make me think and feel ... I was impressed by plot and the style & atmosphere of film. It was incredible – it gets me empathize to the characters from the first to last minute.The screenplay for this film is absolutely amazing - completely unusual story and highly symbolic/philosophical subtext! You spend more than half of the movie thinking it will go one way, but then it absolutely change direction...again and again...If you like good thrillers - you definitely must watch "A Pure Formality"

I did some research about the director after seeing another one of his movies and this one peaked my interest. Obviously the actors in this film was the first, but the story was close second. I saw the movie and really enjoyed it.I have to say that the beginning does drag a bit, probably because it is a puzzle that we unravel along with the inspector. So, there is confusion and things move slow.However, as the pace picks up and we learn more and more about the characters, it does become more interesting.The ending is shocking but really makes you think and definitely want to watch it again for more clues that you may have missed the 1st time around. I highly recommend to see the movie and then discuss with other people, like a good book that you can't wait to talk about with your friends and family.

You won't believe it, but trust me: this is the best film ever. I know, it's almost impossible, you could say there are movies like Titanic or something stupid like that, but those are just movies, not moments. Moments that you could never forget.This is an art movie, but not the way you think. It is not like: a white-dressed women dance trough the scene, while pink elephants flying and says: oh' this is my sin, this is my sin, let me be a flower! The meaning of art in this film is that everyone, the director, the actors, the music composer, the editor, the costume designer, the camera man is an artist. A man, who not just doing what he has to do, they make something what is one-off. This movie is thrilling, intelligent, riddling and entertaining, everything what you want from a good crime/thriller, but much more: you have to see this film to understand, what I'm talking about. Pictures, I can't tell, moments, that you have to feel. Don't think that this is an arty film, that has no really message or has no excitement. It's really-really good movie, maybe the best ever, and if you want more from a movie like an action movie can give, than you have to see the „A Pure Formality'*****