Deeply personal and engaging, Fellini's story has an authenticity
to it that is very unique. As we marvel at the method actors and old
American films of the 50's & 60's, it is in the foreign films during
this era where the most impressive and innovative work was
being created (8 1/2 tops that list). I find films with stage-like acting, blatant morality, and little bits of
exciting action (like the American cinema of the 50's and 60's) to
be uncompelling. Personal stories are compelling. Personal
stories that are well done and make the viewer feel what the
filmmaker feels are even better. And 8 1/2 has two personal stories. One story is the dilemma the
lead faces: should he make another flashy, "hollywood" type
movie, or should he stay true to himself. The other personal story
is from the director himself. He's claustrophobic, caught in a
horrid web of making films that aren't true to what he FEELS is
right. He must conform to producers' wishes; he must appease
important people in the industry; he must make things flashy; he
must give away what he KNOWS is truth to survive in this industry.
It is in Fellini's 8 1/2 where he and the main character of the film
say, "Stop!" This personal story resonated with me. It subtly (and I can not
stress any more the subtle quality of this film) spoke to me,
instructing me to not follow what THEY expect. Do what you feel
you must do. Do what you feel that will fulfill your soul--not your
pocketbook, your sexual desires, or other pleasures. You can read my writing and that's fine, but you must see the film
because I am not doing Fellini's film any justice. It is in viewing
the film (and the long period after seeing it) that you will feel the
power of this film. As I am writing this review about 5 months after
seeing it, it has taken some time to settle in my head. Finally after
5 months, the revelations of the film have settled, and I can now
finally fully appreciate what Fellini has done.
to it that is very unique. As we marvel at the method actors and old
American films of the 50's & 60's, it is in the foreign films during
this era where the most impressive and innovative work was
being created (8 1/2 tops that list). I find films with stage-like acting, blatant morality, and little bits of
exciting action (like the American cinema of the 50's and 60's) to
be uncompelling. Personal stories are compelling. Personal
stories that are well done and make the viewer feel what the
filmmaker feels are even better. And 8 1/2 has two personal stories. One story is the dilemma the
lead faces: should he make another flashy, "hollywood" type
movie, or should he stay true to himself. The other personal story
is from the director himself. He's claustrophobic, caught in a
horrid web of making films that aren't true to what he FEELS is
right. He must conform to producers' wishes; he must appease
important people in the industry; he must make things flashy; he
must give away what he KNOWS is truth to survive in this industry.
It is in Fellini's 8 1/2 where he and the main character of the film
say, "Stop!" This personal story resonated with me. It subtly (and I can not
stress any more the subtle quality of this film) spoke to me,
instructing me to not follow what THEY expect. Do what you feel
you must do. Do what you feel that will fulfill your soul--not your
pocketbook, your sexual desires, or other pleasures. You can read my writing and that's fine, but you must see the film
because I am not doing Fellini's film any justice. It is in viewing
the film (and the long period after seeing it) that you will feel the
power of this film. As I am writing this review about 5 months after
seeing it, it has taken some time to settle in my head. Finally after
5 months, the revelations of the film have settled, and I can now
finally fully appreciate what Fellini has done.