Rating of
4/4
8 1/2 review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 01/16/13
"Life is a celebration. Let's live it together." - Guido. In the criterion collection, Terry Gilliam's introduction and the audio commentary makes the film more engaging while learning about the director. An artistic, funny, poignant neo-realism/fantasy/drama/comedy, provocative and insightful picture about Guido Anselmi (Marcello Mastroianni), a famous sad Italian film director trying to create a sci-fi movie. He invites his wife Luisa Anselm (Anouk Aimée) but is involved with Carla (Sandra Milo). A myriad of women become part of Guido's life such as La Saraghina, Gloria, Madeleine, lady in a hotel, Claudia and more. Despite its complex brilliant technical direction and plot, it is basically about a director's writing block and finding happiness.
Flawless from the score (Nino Rota of The Godfather), casting, location/set pieces, pace, performances, direction (cut scenes, flashbacks, mirror images of the characters of the film within the film, symbolism, lighting, long single shots, etc.), screenplay with thought provoking lines as: "Accept me for what I am if you want me." "This is a madhouse here." Thoughts are sacred." You're not the man you used to be either." "You can either corrupt or educate thousands of souls." and "Rules are the rules." The dialogue invokes metaphors tied to life, cinema and marriage. 8 1/2 intuitively tackles topics on film-making, pressures, questions, childhood memories, regret, infidelity, marital issues, religion, choices, acceptance and dreams. Definitely for serious movie aficionados, neo-realistic fanatics, significant and timeless all in one. An experience that can be enjoyed much like Inland Empire, Blue Velvet, Stalker, Ikiru, Persona, The 400 Blows and Bicycle Thieves where one can find something with regards to life's struggles and relationships.
Spoilers (this reviewers interpretations):
1. First scenes - Definitely dream, rebirth and escapism
2. Ending - A Circus is similar to a movie, life's continuation and having optimism.
3. People in white - Heaven and alternate reality or dreams.
4. Farm scenes with all of Guido's ladies in his life - Fantasy of every young boy
5. Luisa - Definitely marriage and the person affected by his career and yet stayed loyal to him.
