Review of Red Desert (1964) by Stewart S — 26 Jun 2009
For a film that doesn't have a conventional narrative and is concerned primarily with character and setting this is utterly absorbing. Antonioni's first colour film is stunning to look at - his characters boldly coloured against the grey, threatening (somewhat apocalyptic) backgrounds.
He even went so far to paint trees and grasses to effectively convey his heroine's turbulent moods. Monica Vitti is very good as a neurotic wife who's pain is in being too emotionally in touch with everything in the world.
The alienating machine environment is frighteningly inhumane and yet also beautiful. Richard Harris (who could not speak the language and has been dubbed rather well) is disconnected throughout (which was probably the idea in casting him) and whilst he serves the purpose of the outsider his role is nothing remarkable.
In the end, it's a marvellous exercise in atmosphere perfectly describing the inner mindstate of a disturbed individual. A rich experience (they don't make them like this anymore).
This review of Red Desert (1964) was written by Stewart S on 26 Jun 2009.
Red Desert has generally received very positive reviews.
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