Identification of a Woman

Year: 1982

Runtime: 128 mins

Language: Italian

Director: Michelangelo Antonioni

DramaRomance

After his wife abandons him, director Niccolò plunges into an obsessive affair with a young woman who eventually vanishes while searching for herself. He encounters other amenable women, inspiring him to create a film on women's relationships. Determined, he begins casting a lead actress for the project.

Identification of a Woman (1982) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Identification of a Woman (1982) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In contemporary Rome, a city that hums with both historic grandeur and the quiet desperation of everyday life, Niccolò navigates his world as a film director freshly untethered by divorce. His modest home is shared only with his sister, a diligent gynecologist, and her young son, offering a fragile anchor to an otherwise solitary existence. The atmosphere around him is tinged with artistic yearning and a lingering sense of unfinished narratives, as he surveys the city’s bustling streets and the intimate circles of his professional life.

A chance encounter brings Mavi—a striking, aristocratic young woman—into his orbit, and their passionate liaison promises both inspiration and unease. Her privileged background and the shadowy whispers that follow her hint at a world that feels simultaneously alluring and alien to him, stirring a subtle tension that colors their interactions. The romance becomes a conduit for Niccolò to explore deeper questions about intimacy, power, and the fragile boundaries between desire and restraint.

Seeking a different kind of connection, Niccolò meets Ida, a grounded stage actress whose athletic poise and straightforward nature stand in stark contrast to the enigmatic allure of his previous love. Their budding rapport opens a fresh perspective on love that feels less fraught with mystery and more rooted in genuine companionship. This contrast fuels his artistic impulse, prompting him to contemplate a new cinematic project centered on women’s relationships—an idea that begins to take shape amid his personal reflections.

The film’s tone blends the intimate melancholy of personal loss with a contemplative, almost cosmic curiosity. As Niccolò drifts between the streets of Rome and quiet moments of imagination—wondering about the sun’s true nature and the larger universe—he balances the immediacy of human connection with a yearning for broader understanding. This delicate interplay of personal longing and philosophical wonder sets the stage for a story that feels both intimately human and quietly expansive.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 17:10

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Movies about obsessive artists like in Identification of a Woman

Characters whose creative obsessions blur with their personal lives and lead to disillusionment.For viewers who enjoyed the cerebral and emotional journey of Identification of a Woman, this collection features movies like it that delve into the world of creative struggle. These films often follow directors, writers, or artists whose obsessive quests for inspiration lead to psychological tension and a sense of disillusionment.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a creative professional at a crossroads, often after a personal loss. Their search for a new project or a specific person (a muse, a subject) becomes an obsessive, introspective journey. This quest frequently blurs the lines between reality and art, leading to revelations about identity, loneliness, and the often-frustrating nature of creation itself, culminating in a bittersweet or unresolved acceptance.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on the psychological state of the artist. They blend themes of creative block, obsession, and existential questioning, usually presented with a slow, contemplative pace and a melancholic tone that prioritizes mood and character interiority over plot-driven action.

Melancholic slow burn movies with a mysterious vibe like Identification of a Woman

Atmospheric stories where enigmatic characters drift in and out of a protagonist's life.If you liked the atmospheric and mysterious feel of Identification of a Woman, this list features similar melancholic slow burn dramas. These movies share a focus on mood over plot, often involving characters who are difficult to pin down, creating a pervasive sense of existential unease and contemplative loneliness.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative structure is often episodic or meandering, mirroring the protagonist's search for meaning or connection. Key characters appear and vanish without clear explanation, serving as catalysts for the protagonist's internal journey rather than being fully knowable themselves. The story focuses on the emotional residue and philosophical questions left behind, rather than providing neat resolutions.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by a very specific combination of a slow, deliberate pace and a persistently melancholic, often mysterious atmosphere. The viewing experience is less about following a tight plot and more about immersing oneself in a mood of contemplation, loneliness, and the unresolved nature of human connection.

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Identification of a Woman Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Identification of a Woman

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