Review of Mamma Roma (1962) by Kevin N — 26 Oct 2009
Tight, concise filmmaking by a pioneer who wanted to twist an old film movement rather than ignore it. Pasolini's best move was his casting of Anna Magnani, an actress of incredible force who once provided a voice for the 40s neorealism movement and reprises it here for a retrospect.
She is phenomenal, as is expected; the rest of the cast is very good, too. The most enjoyable scenes of the movie are those that linger too long, where we see the subjects of the film in their discomfort, depression, pitiable states- stripped bare of their tough social masks.
The imagery is carefully laden with Catholic images, from an opening variation on the last supper to a twisted symbolic ending that left me awe-stricken.
This review of Mamma Roma (1962) was written by Kevin N on 26 Oct 2009.
Mamma Roma has generally received very positive reviews.
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