8 1/2 • D. FELLINI • 1963
One of the greats. Generally I have no patience for films about filmmaking, but that’s possibly because all those other films are paltry knock-offs of this one. (Though I did like Almodovar’s BROKEN EMBRACES last year)
It is difficult to distinguish between the dreams and the “reality” in this film, but watching it last night in a semi-dreamlike state, I realized that every scene could be interpreted as dream / fantasy. This is especially evident in the latter half of the film as Guido’s personal relationships all seem to collapse around him.
Peopled with odd male characters, many (many) strong and beautiful women, some of the best images ever captured on film (eg. our hero’s feet tied to a rope dangling high above a beach and then plummeting into the water in the opening scene — how did they achieve this in 1963?) 8 1/2 is a must see (especially as Hollywood is releasing a remake, entitled NINE. Please.)
