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How many baby boomers, here? I'll bang the gong, yet again, for, "The Great Beauty:"

98.232.224.41

it's the tale of a sixty-five year old Roman, a man who's spent the past 40 years cruising on the wave created by his first novel. But, it's much more than that. It's a philosophical inquiry into the nature of love, industry, religion, death--- in short, life itself. And all of this is delivered in a pastry as delicious as a canolli, washed down with one of those delightful Italian dessert wines. Beautiful women, men dressed in sartorial splendor as only the Romans can render, ancient architecture and paintings (an exquisite Raphael, exhibited for your private viewing pleasure, free of the usual bustling crowds), and all set to gorgeous music, both period and contemporary (this latter infectious club variety).
Quite simply, the finest rumination of life in many a film cycle. Unlike Malick's tortured multi-hour lectures w/their Puritanical, self-lacerating tone, director Paolo Sorrentino knows how, in the best tradition going back (at least) to Shakespeare, to examine society and the individual while wildly entertaining his journey's guest.
This is lead actor Toni Servillo's film and he delivers an astonishing tour de force, creating a character you'd expect to sit next to the next time you venture to Rome and decide to indulge in a meal in one of its fine restaurants. There is no finer actor today, period. In fact, for effortlessness, for disappearing into a character, he has no peer.
Five stars?
No.
15.

Edits: 03/31/14 03/31/14

Follow Ups:

I hear ya... - Victor Khomenko 15:59:47 04/06/14 (0)
Like a good Russian borsht, it became better on the third day.

Straight on it was slightly irritatingly derivative, but like a fine engine after breaking in it began to fire smoothly with some time.

I would not mind seeing it again... but Mrs. will not do it... she thought it was shallow. But then she is a Fellini purist, so what does she know?

The film reminded me of my times with Patrick - he is great host, in case you are wondering, and could play that role perfectly and with no make up.
The Criterion Box Set comes with . . . - Billy Wonka 20:50:25 04/01/14 (5)
three disks (the Blue Ray is superb) and a nice booklet. I must say, after seeing it, that this moves my goal posts for contemporary film making. Up until now Bertolucci's 'The Last Emperor' has always represented the ultimate in art direction, cinematography, AND story telling. This film exposes contemporary Roman life with such artistic cunning that it is difficult to grasp the creative process that went into it. The visualizations of ancient Rome and the characterizations of Jep's vapid friends both clash and harmonize with the help of perfectly composed cinematography, art direction, and dialog that binds together the journey and message of the film. Jep begins to feel the wasted decades of his life but comes full circle to find his way back to the muse of his youth who gives him a new beginning. Along the way we are given the beauty of Rome wrapped in humor and awe.

If you don't do subtitles then you are missing something special. This one is a keeper.
- Wow. We actually agree! Also agree on "The Last Emperor." I'm sure you'll similarly join me as I scream as - tinear 17:35:40 04/02/14 (4)
  loudly as I can, "Toni deserved the friggin' Oscar!"
  I've never seen a better performance, by any actor.
  I doubt you can find it, but you'd like another Italian gem of world-weary wisdom called, "The Easy Life." It had some wonderful stars: Vittorio Gassman; Jean-Louis Trintignant; Catherine Spaak.
  Check out what youtube called "a trailer" but what in fact is the first few minutes. Caution: no subtitles, but you can probably figure it out.
  Oh, I forgot one other important star: Gassman's Lancia. What a car!
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yafIvKriSgo
  Question: why 3 discs? What are the other two?
  
  Edits: 04/02/14
  - No interest in Il Sorpasso? Comin' out on DVD in a few weeks. Really, as good as TGB. nt - tinear 11:38:46 04/04/14 (2)
    d
    - I liked it. - Victor Khomenko 15:55:02 04/06/14 (1)
      It fell a bit flat at the end, though.
      - I thought it soared. nt - tinear 08:14:26 04/09/14 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I liked it. posted by Victor Khomenko on April 06, 2014 at 15:55:02
        
        fds
  - RE: Wow. We actually agree! Also agree on "The Last Emperor." I'm sure you'll similarly join me as I scream as - Billy Wonka 09:25:24 04/04/14 (0)
    One blu ray, one dvd, and one with short interviews. Not much bonus marerial.

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