Review of Juliet of the Spirits (1965) by David B — 25 May 2010
While Fellini has been pegged as a chauvinist, and this film an act of contrition towards his wife - the overall message of this film is absolutely feminist. Juliet engages with the spiritual influences around her, to which the seance is mere allegory.
.. one by one she faces them and makes her own choices about how these ghosts affect her. In the end, we depart Juliet as indpendent and confident, although we don't need closure to instill that confidence.
Although on the surface one might object to the visual portrayal of women in the film as Fellini's objectification - when comparing characters, the women are far more complex when contrasted with the self-absorbed husband or Juliet's doctor or the men who visit Suzy's.
Fellini's first attempt in colour is rough around the edges, but there are some quite memorable (and surreal) scenes here. Juliet of the Spirits (especially with the super-clean and colorful Criterion remaster) will endure as one of Fellini's better films.
This review of Juliet of the Spirits (1965) was written by David B on 25 May 2010.
Juliet of the Spirits has generally received very positive reviews.
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