Review of L'Avventura (1960) by Miles K — 22 Apr 2010

Tremendous moody film where the story is dropped in order to explore the shifting emotions of the main characters. You are never certain whether they are genuinely connecting or clinging desperately to each other to escape complete isolation. Certainly not a film for everyone. It seems to be a template for Antonioni's later films which start off like thrillers but end without resolution after an absorbing visual and emotional journey. The original mystery disappears like Anna (played by Lea Massari) on the island and seems only to be a device to bind Sandro (Gabriele Ferzetti) and Claudia (Monica Vitti) together. But their inability to solve it while beginning an affair leaves them racked with guilt.

It is visually impressive like so many Antonioni films and the many lingering shots leave enduring images. The shift in narrative focus is still powerful and surprising after all these years.