Rating of
3.5/4
La Dolce Vita review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 11/20/12
Too fully comprehend and appreciate, one has to follow the lead's dilemma which is plain, finding happiness. A multiple story involving Marcello's evening with the heiress Maddalena (Anouk Aimée), night with the American actress Sylvia (Anita Ekberg), reunion with the affluent/smart Steiner (Alain Cuny), a fake miracle, father's visit/Steiner's Party, the aristocrat's party/Steiner's death and a party at the beach house. It's strength would be the lush locations, screenplay and direction. The best lines: " I think, 'What is in store for my children tomorrow?' 'The world will be wonderful', they say. But from whose viewpoint? If one phone call could announce the end of everything? We need to live in a state of suspended animation like a work of art, in a state of enchantment. We have to succeed in loving so greatly that we live outside of time, detached." and " Even the most miserable life is better than a sheltered existence in an organized society where everything is calculated and perfected." from Steiner and " I don't believe in your aggressive, sticky, maternal love! I don't want it, I have no use for it! This isn't love, it's brutalization!" from Marcello. The themes of morality, bad marriage, questions about life and religion. La Dolce Vita is a gorgeous influential drama whose sluggish pace and plot-less story is compensated by the scenic cinematography, skilled direction and sensitive topics.
