In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

Let me start by stating that this is a superbly intelligent and funny film which enlists among it protagonists the medium by occasionally 'pointing' to its delivery technique/style. A sharp social commentary picture, delivered with humour and satire; a synthesis of some of Italy's trends and moods at the end of the 1970s; the voice of one of its embedded protagonist who observes and reflects on cultural issues and society in general and how they affect his generation (e.g. cigarette corporations ads and movies). The language barrier can be dealt with in fact it was very well received and appreciated by the European viewership and nominated for the Palm d'Or, the highest honour at the Cannes Film Festival. As for the role of the 'reader': the viewer, whatever his or her origins and background, could reflect on the history of his or her country, its economic developments/corporate influence, its educational policies, its social fears and/or generational angst, its mid-late nineteenth century dilemmas. Subsequently, the latter can be compared to those of other countries, in this case to Italy's and how they are depicted in Moretti's rendition in ECCE BOMBO. The findings can be enlightening and have much to say about the dynamics of the relationship between the individual and his or her community in their own country, the social milieu he or she inhabits and how they affect each other. This 1978 classic of world cinema is definitely an entertaining and astute 'study' of society which the medium of the cinema affords.

Far from being the celebrated star of today, Nanni Moretti just represents himself at 23, and his life with his parents, sister and friends. The location is Rome, its town, but most of the scenes are taken in simple apartments, where he and his friends like to meet to discuss about themselves, in a sort of auto therapy group. Moretti manages to combine the scenes and the music - mostly Italian singers and authors - and most of the characters are his real friends. He succeeds in giving a true description of the social life of the time, without missing to give his touch of caustic remarks. On this respect, the scenes between Michele and his girlfriends are quite brilliant in their portrayal of the nervous inadequacy of our "anti-hero"...

Completely pointless film. At best, too regional for the rest of the world to understand. Nothing becomes clear, the director's intentions, whatever they may be (if any) don't come out. And worst of all: it pretends to be intelligent. What amazes me most is that this being his first film, Moretti was allowed to make a second one. Don't waste your time with this totally obscure film, life is too short!

The movie is a little cult in Italy. Some incredible scenes like the dialogue with the girl that doesn't create anything of concrete, the scream of "ecce bombo" or the poet friend of the student are great ironic suggestions to a new kind of cinema founded by Nanni Moretti.