Review of Rocco and His Brothers (1960) by Kevin N — 10 May 2011
A stunning drama by the Italian master filmmaker Luchino Visconti. It's an epic three-hour film that displays all the delicacies of a family that feels about half that length because these characters just absorb you.
Their lives become so meaningful and tangible, and when the story begins to turn tragic it is almost too much to take. I love the way Visconti shoots Milan here: from the inside out. Instead of mixing Rocco's family in with the others of the city, he forces us to live close-quaretrs with this one only.
The result is that we are allowed to really experience the small joys and pains, not just the large ones, and each family member becomes an integral part of our connection to the story. Visconti's camerawork is, as expected, graceful and telling.
He never lingers on any subject or location for too long, letting our eyes explore every new scene with his sweeping cinematography.
This review of Rocco and His Brothers (1960) was written by Kevin N on 10 May 2011.
Rocco and His Brothers has generally received very positive reviews.
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