Review of Blow-Up (1966) by Nikolai E — 09 Apr 2009

Wow, I can see this one's a bit divisive, so I'll just focus on details. I loved the cinematography, this is one of the best-looking neo-realist films I've seen, in terms of composition and camera movement, and with subject matter like this there was no excuse for it not to be.

I also loved the ending, the fact that it's totally unconnected to the rest of the narrative actually helps things. Maybe the scene wouldn't be necessary if the film weren't so committed to realism and the banality that brings, maybe another filmmaker could have made the same point without such potentially alienating and heavy-handed allegory, but the film is what it is and there's nothing wrong with it.

I also don't think the statement that I'm seeing thrown left and right, 'it's not about the murder,' isn't entirely on target. That might suggest the murder is just a red herring to keep everyone watching through all this banality.

I think it's more accurate to say the film is about how it's not about the murder.