Any time a movie receives a Rotten Tomatoes score of 100%, my interest is piqued. “The Conformist,” a 1970 Italian political drama, is one of those rare films deemed perfect by the most popular movie review website. Apart from this accomplishment, it was also nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe Award, and it is a film revered and studied by many, both here in the U.S. and abroad. It is even included in Frank Ocean’s list of favorite films. After viewing “The Conformist,” it is obvious that these accolades are not undue hype. “The Conformist” is undoubtedly an artistic achievement.

Director Bernardo Bertolucci derived inspiration for the film from a 1951 novel by Alberto Moravia of the same name. Bertolucci adapted the novel into a screenplay, switching the linear narrative with one comprised of flashbacks and changing the ending entirely. The basic story remains the same, though.

Protagonist Marcello (Jean Louis Trintignan, “Amour”), the “conformist” to whom the title refers, is constantly striving to achieve normalcy in his life. He plans to marry a woman he finds fairly uninteresting and gets a job working for the Italian government in the 1930s fascist era. After being tasked with killing his old professor, Marcello and his wife travel to Paris where the viewer sees a contrast between France’s relative freedom and Italy’s rigidity. Through flashbacks, the film explores Marcello’s moral journey and the implications of his conformity to society. This film is like a puzzle with each new piece helping the viewer understand the workings of a conflicted man’s mind.

“The Conformist” is set in 1930s Italy, where dictator Benito Mussolini had established a fascist society. Italian fascism followed the principles of order, discipline and hierarchy, and it emphasized Italy’s position as heir to the Roman Empire. As someone in desire of structure, Marcello aligns strongly with this ideology.

Techniques like skewed camera angles, precise color blocking and ornate costuming give this film a visual appeal to match the intrigue of its complex storyline. The artistic elements of “The Conformist” show an impressive attention to detail on Bertolucci’s part; it is a film that may require multiple viewings to fully grasp. One of the most evident visual techniques Bertolucci uses is chiaroscuro (a strong contrast between light and dark). Shadows and extreme darkness are more prominent in the scenes that take place in Rome where they create a sense of unease and mystery, whereas Paris is more bright and inviting. Chiaroscuro is also an extremely popular aspect of Renaissance art, so its use is a nod to Italy’s powerful past, as well.

I’m sure there are plenty more intricacies at play in “The Conformist”  that a more knowledgeable movie buff could point out, but their overall effect is the creation of a unique and memorable style that place this film above many others of its time and make it worthy of that one-hundred percent rating.

I will not spoil the film’s ending, but suffice to say it is sure to keep you on your toes. Even those who have no interest in a politics or Italy will likely find the plot of “The Conformist” captivating or at least enjoy its wondrous cinematography.

“The Conformist” is available on Amazon, iTunes and the Google Play Store.