Review of L'Avventura (1960) by Thaddeus W — 04 Nov 2008

Impossibly boring. I don't mind slow movies; in fact, I tend to like them better than fast-paced ones (such as the dreadful Armageddon). However, L'Avventura goes beyond (below?) slow-paced and reaches glacial speeds.

I don't care if it IS a statement about spiritual isolation in Europe; a movie should do something other than wander aimlessly about the screen (even if it does wander around in images of stark clarity and beauty).

I have to admit that I didn't actually finish watching L'Avventura. I couldn't stand it any longer. The movie provides nothing to care about, and the half-hearted quest for the missing girl doesn't extend much beyond worried shouting of her name before it peters into more aimless wandering.

Roger Ebert may have this on his great movies list, but it's not on mine. L'Avventura has nothing of redeeming value, unless you count the awe and wonder you will inspire in your friends when you say you've seen it.

Do yourself a favor and watch something by Hitchcock, Spielberg, or Ozu instead of watching this collection of cobwebs.