Review of La Dolce Vita (1960) by Ivan M — 03 May 2012

At the moment, this is my all time favourite film. Federico Fellini's arthouse extravaganza is a film which gives another, more amazing experience every time you see it. Marcello Mastroianni plays perfectly the role of Marcello Rubini, a gossip columnist who yearns to follow his ambitions of more serious writing, yet cannot resist the lustful temptations of his current chaotic, showbiz-filled life.

It begins impressively. A statue of Jesus Christ hangs from a helicopter, being transported to the Pope, as we learn from the men in the news helicopter in tight pursuit, including Marcello and his photographer, Paparazzo (the now widely used term is derived from this character).

Then we enter the life of Marcello, starting with him leaving an exclusive nightclub with a famous actress, giving a bisexual prostitute a ride home and eventually sleeping with the actress in the hooker's spare bedroom.

This is an ordinary night for Marcello, and it only takes up the first few minutes. The film has no traditional plot structure, being more of a cautionary tale than a narrative story and, without spoiling anything, an ending that doesn't tie everything up in a neat little bow.

This is far from a complaint, as the ending is in my opinion perfect, just like every other detail in this film. It's an epic masterpiece, and I adore every frame of it.