4th feature but first in the “Antonioni style”—at least fully- puts lonely, selfish characters (mostly well off and good looking) in alienation amidst gorgeous and vast landscapes and architecture– the main picture above of a man and would would be gloriously recreated film after film
Released in the US after L’vventura after that success in 1960
So eloquent in mise-en-scene space, walls as canvas and body language/posture—
Antonioni often leaves the
released in US after L’Avventura
the mystery of Rosetta’s suicide attempt is answered here more clearly than it would be in his future films- there’s more in the text here than his works that would follow- the strongest part of the film is the mystery of why she does it—when we find out- it’s more melodramatic
diverting plots moving from woman to woman amongst this group of “friends” (very loose) as he often would later as well—masterful control of the camera
definitely a rough draft for L’Avventura with the gorgeous beach and island just out of reach
Silver Lion Venice
Ensemble of beautiful people
Some location shooting in Turin
Infidelity, mystery, coldness, long takes framing, moving, reframing within scene- Renoir—switching of leads and we glide between them
Standalone gorgeous shots – bottles blocking mise-en-scene like Von Sternberg—another shot through the Venetian blinds
Yvonne Furneaux is a standout- hypnotic- looks destined to be a star
Oddly split into two parts- literally with intermission- 106 min movie
At times Antonioni pointedly glimpses at the lives of secondary background characters outside this group of friends—we have the housekeeper sneaking off with the boyfriend- it’s his way of saying this human disconnect, frailty and triviality goes on with all people
A great gorgeous dark alley shot after Rosetta gets dumped again
Wonderful train station farewell- unrequited (of sorts- I mean she just chooses another path) love final scene
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