La dolce vita (1960)

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Director:

Federico Fellini

Writers:

Federico Fellini (story) &
Ennio Flaiano (story) ...

Release Date:

19 April 1961 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The Sweet Life

Plot:

Journalist and man-about-town Marcello struggles to find his place in the world, torn between the allure...

Plot Keywords:

Journalist | Sex | Writer | Socialite | Gossip Columnist

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 7 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Marcello Mastroianni	...	Marcello Rubini
Anita Ekberg	...	Sylvia
Anouk Aimée	...	Maddalena (as Anouk Aimee)
Yvonne Furneaux	...	Emma
Magali Noël	...	Fanny (as Magali Noel)
Alain Cuny	...	Steiner
Annibale Ninchi	...	Marcello's father
Walter Santesso	...	Paparazzo
Valeria Ciangottini	...	Paola
Riccardo Garrone	...	Riccardo
Ida Galli	...	Debuttante of the Year
Audrey McDonald	...	Jane (as Audey McDonald)
Polidor	...	Clown
Alain Dijon	...	Frankie Stout
Enzo Cerusico	...	Newspaper photographer

Also Known As:

La dolce vita (France)
La douceur de vivre (France) (alternative title)

Runtime:

174 min | Germany:177 min (premiere) | Portugal:165 min (re-release) | USA:180 min (premiere)

Country:

Italy | France

Language:

Italian | English | French | German

Colour:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric)

Certification:

Italy:VM14 | Hungary:18 | South Korea:15 | Brazil:14 | Spain:13 | Spain:(Banned) (1960-1980) | Argentina:16 | Australia:M (DVD rating) | Australia:PG (original rating) | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | Singapore:M18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:Not Rated | West Germany:12 (video rating)

Filming Locations:

Bassano Romano, Viterbo, Lazio, Italy

Company:

Riama Film

Trivia:

Producer Dino De Laurentiis left the project when director Federico Fellini refused to cast Paul Newman in the lead.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: At the top of St. Peter's dome the wind blows Sylvia's hat off. The wire on her hat used to achieve this effect is clearly visible trailing off to the right during the scene.

Quotes:

Marcello Rubini: [to Emma] A man who agrees to live like this is a finished man, he's nothing but a worm! I don't believe in your aggressive, sticky, maternal love! I don't want it, I have no use for it! This isn't love, it's brutalization!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Faces (1968/I)

Soundtrack:

Patricia

Tolerance of Taste

To appreciate this film you need to appreciate film. I'm saddened that so many have commented negatively on it and cast dispersions upon those who enjoyed it. It is not Titanic, or Armageddon. It is a long film that attempts to show more than a hackneyed plot about some simple people. It is a beautiful exploration about life that does not preach or try to tell you what to think. I understand why many are frustrated with it. It seems to go nowhere at times, but thats the point. And most importantly the scenery on this trip to nowhere is beautiful.

So, if you are the type that does not like to watch films that are art, do not watch this. Watch Coyote Ugly. It will entertain you. Other films to avoid: Last Year at Marienbad, The Seventh Seal, The 400 Blows, etc. Go see something with a gun on the cover instead.

For those who like a challenge rather than simple escapism, this is a film that engages you.

Different films for different people. People seem very threatened when they don't like a film that is widely regarded as a classic. The reason is simple, it's not your kind of film. But don't assume its a film for no one. Makes sense right?