The film portobello illustrates the bizarre tale of Enzo Tortola, the host of Italy’s leading television show. Arrested in 1983, Tortola was accused of being associated with the notorious Camorra crime family, raising questions about how he could be linked to them without any prior involvement.
portobello: Should you stream it?
Opening scene: A cluttered room filled with various wigs and hats at a television studio in Rome.
Key details: In 1977, the audience fills the studio as the crew scrambles to launch the sixth episode of portobello, a variety show created and hosted by Enzo Tortola (Fabrizio Gifni). Initially airing in black and white, the show featured a blend of musical numbers, presentations, call-in segments, and swap meets. Its mascot was a parakeet named Ramon who, oddly enough, never spoke.
By its sixth week, the show had garnered a substantial following, especially among families. As time passed, it transitioned to color, leading to a surge in viewership, reaching a staggering 28 million by the early 1980s.
Among the viewers is Giovanni Pandico (Lino Musella), who is watching from his cell in Naples’ Poggioreale prison. A member of the Nuovo Camorra Organizzata, Pandico resents Tortola’s success, particularly after sending a lace doll and a letter on behalf of a friend that went unacknowledged. His frustration escalates as he starts sending threatening letters to Tortola’s home, causing alarm for the host.
Poggioreale also houses the leader of the crime organization, Raffaele Cutolo (Gianfranco Gallo), known as “The Professor.” The inmates, all members of the Camorra, live large under his oversight. However, in 1980, a significant earthquake in southern Italy gave Cutolo a chance to eliminate some internal adversaries, prompting the warden to separate all Camorra members to different facilities.
During this time, as Tortola raises funds for earthquake relief, Pandico’s resentment simmers. He continues to write to Cutolo but never receives replies. By 1983, after witnessing Cutolo make accusations against other Camorra affiliates, Pandico decides to inform the authorities. When shown a phone directory with Tortola’s name, he confirms the host’s supposed ties to the Camorra.
Recall any shows? The film portobello, co-written and directed by Marco Bellocchio, is based on Tortola’s writings and unfolds at a similar pace to such narratives.
Our take: Bellocchio takes a measured approach in the 72-minute opener of portobello. His aim seems to be to highlight the variety show’s massive popularity. While the content remains wholesome, it feels a bit outdated when compared to the more provocative shows of the late ’70s and early ’80s. He also seeks to establish the absurdity of the situation that haunted Tortola, leading to the cancellation of the show until he was exonerated in 1987, just a year before his death.
Despite his amiable television presence, Bellocchio doesn’t shy away from displaying Tortola’s serious side. As actors audition for the show, he carefully assesses their performances, including one woman who takes far too long to show emotion when asked to cry. In an interview with RAI Magazine, Tortola expresses frustration over accusations that his show lacks depth. Even when receiving threats from Pandico, he seems to take them more seriously than his team does.
What’s puzzling is Pandico’s intense hostility towards Tortola; it seems irrational, especially given that he knows Tortola isn’t involved with the Camorra. This suggests he may suffer from paranoia, potentially thinking he can communicate telepathically with television personalities. Over the years, he magnified minor grievances into an overwhelming rage that effectively stole four of Tortola’s last five years as he fought to clear his name.
As the series progresses, it might reveal not just how Tortola defends himself against these ludicrous charges but also how Pandico sticks to his assertion about the host, regardless of its veracity.
Remarkable performance: Lino Musella effectively embodies the infuriating character of Pandico.
Content Warning: The first episode contains no sexual content.
Final thought: Pandico informs the authorities that Tortola is undoubtedly part of the Camorra.
Unsung talent: Gianfranco Gallo delivers a commanding performance as “The Professor” Raffaele Cutolo.
Most awkward moment: There’s an overly long scene where Ramon the parakeet escapes, leading the staff on a wild chase to a church. It feels like a moment that could have been trimmed for a better pacing.
Our verdict: Let’s stream it. Despite some slow moments in the first episode, portobello offers an engaging and detailed portrayal of one of Italy’s most peculiar stories.
