8 1/2 - Criterion Collection (1963)

The Last Great Fellini Film

After 8 films, having acquired the status of an Italian icon (a much criticized one, of course, as with all Italian icons, which Italians - and Italo-Americans like me - take particular joy in tearing down) and overwhelming international fame, Fellini felt himself trapped, boxed in by demands and expectations and unable to create. So he shattered the box, threw away his script and wrote this outrageous, self regarding, egoistic, surreal and utterly brilliant meditation on ....himself! His predicament, his creative problems, his loves, his childhood, his aging, his fantasies. As in the most famous scene, he takes the whip and makes the elements of his life dance around him... at least until he is overwhelmed. And, for most folks, it works utterly. You are swept away in the swirl of images and emotions, and willingly allow yourself to go along for the ride. The world, as with most of the reviewers here, loved it. After all, despite the relentlessly inward focus of the film, these concerns of life, love and aging are our own concerns, too. His unforgettable images resonate with most of us. Although not everyone is willing to go along for this particular ride, as attested to by the much smaller number of extremely negative reviews. Hey, if you don't like the roller coaster, don't get on one!

But once you have taken such an extreme and self indulgent step - where do you go next? Sadly, that is one problem which Fellini never solved. After this, he mostly just made "Fellini films", repeating the same motifs and images that once seemed so daring, far past the point of self parody. To be sure, there are some wonderful moments in "Amarcord" and "Roma". In fact he rarely made a film without some things of real interest. But never again was he anywhere near as consistently good, as much on the cutting edge of international film, as he was in the ten years from 1953 to 1963. I Vitelloni (1953), La Strada (1954), Nights of Cabiria (1957), La Dolce Vita (1960), 8 1/2 (1963): How many directors have a run like that, with so many unforgettable images?
July 29, 2008

Italian Film Classic

Excellent Film by Fellini. A bit of a break from Italian Neo-Realism, but it works and it must be seen numerous times in order to get further into the meaning of what he is projecting or attempting to get across to the audience. May 19, 2008

Beautifully honest depiction of ones struggle to create...

Federico Fellini's `8 ½' is a film about film. It carries the very essence of art in it's most entrancing form and delivers a beautiful interpretation of the glories as well as the tragedies of creating that said art. I think that may be why `8 ½' is considered to be one of the finest films ever made, because it truly fleshes out the angels and demons involved in getting a directors vision off the ground. It attacks the distress and anguish over desiring to create something meaningful and original without turning your good name into a disgrace by inventing a flop. Thanks to a very strong and honest performance by Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni, `8 ½' becomes something real and beautiful.

Mastroianni plays Guido Anselmi, an Italian director who is trying to escape pressure to start his next film. While supposedly resting at a spa he finds himself bombarded by critics and producers and actresses, all wanting to know what his next film is going to be about, what their roles are going to be and when they can expect to start shooting. The problem is that Guido can't decide what his next film should be about. He wants to create something beautiful, something strong and meaningful but his ideas are not coming as richly as he would like. Guido cannot seem to find solace outside of work with his wife and even his mistress giving him grief on a personal level and so Guido finds himself retreating into his mind, concocting dream sequences that prove to be the greatest inspiration for his next film.

It is also within these dreams that we come to know who Guido really his. We see segments from his childhood, fictionalized to create a dream world in which he is free to explore the facets of his life that helped shape the man, the director, the artist that he is today. To me, the opening scene alone is what defines the final feeling I was left with at the movies end. The scene, involving Guido trapped inside a car filling with fumes, cars surrounding him at all sides, his constant screams and pleadings going unanswered, unnoticed even express the struggle one has to undergo in order to create their vision; pressure building from all sides to conform and sell-out and give in to the demands of others.

The acting here is superb, truly elevating this film to masterpiece levels of greatness. Marcello Mastroianni is marvelous as Guido, really getting into his soul and fleshing out his ever feeling; from distress and desperation to a giddy gleefulness that comes from becoming a part of his vision. Anouk Aimee is effective as Luisa, Guido's troubled wife. Her face reads many layers of pain and heartache. Sandra Milo is superbly cast as Carla, Guido's mistress. She is charming and funny and full of life; a nice contrast to the cold etched on Mastroianni's face. Claudia Cardinale is a dream as Guido's muse Claudia, an actress who tends to be almost too demanding for Guido's taste. Barbara Steele is intriguing as Gloria, the fiancée of Guido's good friend Mario and Mario Pisu is impressive as that good friend. All involved, the ones mentioned as well as each and every other supporting actor, are wonderfully cast and only add to the films greatness.

What I love about `8 ½' is the fact that it allows the audience to appreciate what goes into creating the films we all love to watch. In fact, I think that `8 ½' is a film that any lover of film must witness for it completes the obsession so-to-speak, giving us a chance to live the life of the ones responsible for giving us these gifts in film. It has been noted that `8 ½' is somewhat of an autobiographical film for Fellini, and it truly possesses an honesty that could only come from experience. As the film draws to a close one is forced to face the fear of creating something below you, while confronting the heartbreak that comes from abandoning something you truly treasure because of fear of outside interpretation.

I couldn't help but see a likeness to Woody Allen when watching this movie. It had that same sort of dramedy vibe that Allen seems to capture (granted I have not seen a lot of Allen's films but it's undeniable the similarities). The film never seems dated or irrelevant. The rich black and white tones are beautifully captured and displayed for the audience, and the cinematography, score and set design (including the costumes) are all top notch. `8 ½' could have been made last year, it is that beautifully constructed. Rightfully winning the Oscar for Best Foreign Film (and rightfully garnering Fellini a directing nomination), `8 ½' is one of the greatest films I've had the pleasure of witnessing. Named by many as one of the top 50 films of all time, I truly feel that `8 ½' is actually one of the most important films of all time, for it allows the public to crawl inside their obsession with film and understand the makings of cinema all to a greater degree. May 16, 2008

One of my favorites...

They say that this is Federico Fellini's best work alongside LA DOLCE VITA. This is true. This is one of the most honest, personal works from any film director that you'll find. It is an intimate and captivating experience filled with some of the most beautiful moments that I have ever seen on film. To view this film is an experience unlike any other, and a film that I will never forget. Everything about it is perfect.

SEE IT! By the way, the score by Nina Rota is wonderful. May 8, 2008

Inspiring, humorous and unique

Many previous reviews, by those who appreciate this film, I wholeheartedly agree with. I will refrain from repeating the praise and reiterating Fellini's motivation behind making this film and simply explain what made this movie a joy for me, personally: This was my first Fellini film and it was an absolute pleasure to watch. As an artist myself, and having an appreciation for films and the creative process as a whole, I found this film to be inspiring, humorous and unique. I admire Fellini's ability to carefully weave dream, memory, and the "present" so cohesively and with such fluidity - it's a great juggling act that is masterfully crafted and eye opening to experience. I respect Fellini for the honesty and for the soul he has poured into this film - and furthermore, I appreciate his masterful ability to express it. If you love film, if you love art, if you love the creative process and want to watch a movie that beautifully celebrates the magic of creation itself, I could not recommend this movie more. April 29, 2008

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