8½

A very brief review. Watched 8½, yet another in a series of classic films that I figured I had to watch at least once before I die. Maybe it's me, or the mood I was in, but the film didn't really engage me. No, wait that's a lie, it did engage me, but there was something niggling about it that drove me nuts and I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I guess what I'm saying is sacrilegious as the film is beloved as one of the best collaborations between director Federico Fellini and lead Marcello Mastroianni. Maybe I need to watch it again.

In defense of the film, it did give me some ideas for my own screenplay about a filmmaker. This film is very focused in its story of the film director who is trying to work out what his movie is about. Focus and objectivity is something that I think is missing a little bit in my script.

Fellini's visual style is strong from the opening scenes of the man trapped in the car to the finale of the group gathering together under the shadow of the giant spaceship? construction. This is I think my problem with the film - it's so damned abstract and obscure. Every time I think I'm starting to know the characters, know their predicament, another character is introduced, or a character does something out of the character, or another obscure cinematic reference takes place.

Nino Rota's music and Mastroianni are the highlights of the film for me. The music is playful, stringing the audience along for the ride, while Mastroianni is cool personified, even if his character is a frustrating cad.

My only other complaint (haven't you bitched enough already!) are the terrible subtitles. I don't know how you'd correct it but putting plain white subtitles on a bright b/w film is just asking for trouble.

The documentary "The Lost Ending" went unpreviewed, but for serious fans, it sounds worthwhile. It should be noted there is a definitive Criterion DVD available from the US.