A sketch film that runs 3.5 hours is just too long; sketches should last 15-20 minutes to be most effective. What we have here are four short films by three first rate directors and one journeyman (Monicelli).
First up is Monicelli, and it's really easy to see why his episode was cut for North American release: it's a dull account of lower middle class struggles. The two protagonists are barely interesting enough to keep watching--and in fact I used fast forward to get through this one. More comedy would have helped.
Second is Fellini, and it's like switching from a bicycle to a Ferrari: the sight of a 50 foot tall, exuberant Anita Ekberg scandalizing a frustrated, virginal Peppino de Filippo will please just about everyone. Fellini's trademark satire of Italian Catholicism is given full rein here, and it's a joy to watch.
The Visconti sketch has two great assets: Romy Schneider is in the full bloom of her youth and plays the frustrated wife so well. Tomas Milian, a Cuban-American actor seemed born to play the spoiled playboy Count; he's resentful of having to sponge off his rich father-in-law, and unwilling to grant his wife the freedom she needs.
Last and not quite least is De Sica: he's got Loren but alas he hasn't got a real story. We don't care about this raffle, about the villagers who scoot along in their Vespas, about Loren's poverty--no one can believe she never went to school.
My rating is 6; the excellence of Fellini and Visconti is somewhat offset by the mediocrity of the others.
First up is Monicelli, and it's really easy to see why his episode was cut for North American release: it's a dull account of lower middle class struggles. The two protagonists are barely interesting enough to keep watching--and in fact I used fast forward to get through this one. More comedy would have helped.
Second is Fellini, and it's like switching from a bicycle to a Ferrari: the sight of a 50 foot tall, exuberant Anita Ekberg scandalizing a frustrated, virginal Peppino de Filippo will please just about everyone. Fellini's trademark satire of Italian Catholicism is given full rein here, and it's a joy to watch.
The Visconti sketch has two great assets: Romy Schneider is in the full bloom of her youth and plays the frustrated wife so well. Tomas Milian, a Cuban-American actor seemed born to play the spoiled playboy Count; he's resentful of having to sponge off his rich father-in-law, and unwilling to grant his wife the freedom she needs.
Last and not quite least is De Sica: he's got Loren but alas he hasn't got a real story. We don't care about this raffle, about the villagers who scoot along in their Vespas, about Loren's poverty--no one can believe she never went to school.
My rating is 6; the excellence of Fellini and Visconti is somewhat offset by the mediocrity of the others.