Review of Red Desert (1964) by Zoltan T — 31 Dec 2017
Michelangelo Antonioni's 1964 project "Red Desert" is a character study of a hauntingly beautiful woman (the incomparable Monica Vitti) set adrift in an industrialized wasteland. She suffers from a neurosis and has recovered from a suicide attempt years earlier which she has concealed from her husband and friends. Her fragile balance becomes unhinged with the appearance of a business man (the American Richard Harris) who ignites a passion within her.
Red Desert's venerated status derives partially from Antonioni's efforts to concentrate on the emotional drive of his characters. Their actions are less important than their emotional development, which is of course only know to them. But Antonioni provides us a window and he wants us to feel what they're feeling.
The cinematography in Red Desert is divine. Scene after scene we are immersed in a world of dense fog, billowing plumes from the smoke stacks, endless environmental catastrophe - all framing the stunningly beautiful Monica Vitti. Her vibrant dishevelled red hair, those pursed lips, the dark eyes staring off into...
Best appreciated on the big screen.
This review of Red Desert (1964) was written by Zoltan T on 31 Dec 2017.
Red Desert has generally received very positive reviews.
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