La Moglie Del Prete (aka The Priest's Wife) (1970)

After she discovers her lover (Venantino Venantini) of four years is married, an ex-singer (Sophia Loren) calls a suicide hotline before taking sleeping pills. She survives the suicide attempt but not without being attracted to the voice at the other end of the line. When she meets the voice, he turns out to be a priest (Marcello Mastroianni). But that doesn't stop her from pursuing him romantically. Directed by Dino Risi (PROFUMO DI DONNA). Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni made 17 movies together and their chemistry is undeniable. But if this film isn't their worst, it certainly ranks near the bottom. It's a tedious "comedy" for most of its running time but it turns very serious in its last half hour and begins to get interesting before its abrupt conclusion. The Roman Catholic church and its clergy don't come off very well and ultimately, neither does Mastroianni's character. But Loren's character doesn't get off lightly either. In her pursuit of the priest, she's a near psychotic stalker. There's a nice melodic score by Armando Trovajoli. With Gino Cavalieri, Pippo Starnazza and Miranda Campa.