reviewed by Andrew Lippman
A masterpiece. Federico Fellini’s 1960 rumination on sex, love and miscommunication is as challenging and engrossing today as it was nearly fifty years ago. Seven days and nights in the life of playboy journalist Marcello Rubini (Marcello Mastrianni) seem an unending parade of socialites, celebrities, exhibitionists and “intellectuals,” all of who contribute to the empty decadence of 1960s Rome. Caught in the whirlwind are Marcello’s clinging girlfriend Emma (Yvonne Furneaux), the married academic Steiner (Alain Cuny), and Marcello himself, who earnestly seems to love both everyone and no one. Acknowledging the frivolity of his existence, Marcello intends to settle down and do some “serious” work. However, he finds a life of meaning more elusive than he anticipated.
La Dolce Vita is three hours long, but Fellini keeps the film going at a good pace and chocks it full of hot cars, trendy nightclubs, beautiful women and, of course, the circus. The sets and costumes are tremendous (the film won an Academy Award for Costume Design), as is the soundtrack. Mastroianni and Anouk Aimee (who plays heiress love interest Maddalena) are newcomers in their first collaboration with Fellini (they come together again for 8 ½). Watch for “American film star” Anita Ekberg’s famous fountain scene, as well as Valeria Ciangottini as the ingénue waitress Paola.
Showtime: Friday Feb. 9, 8:00 p.m. ARH 302
photo courtesy http://www.ledoux.be
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