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Directed by Michelangelo Antonioni
Produced by Carlo Ponti
Written by Michelangelo Antonioni, Tonino Guerra and Edward Bond
Starring David Hemmings, Vanessa Redgrave and Sarah Miles
Plot Summary: A British photographer discovers a possible murder in an enlarged photo he took earlier that day.
Significance: Antonioni's acclaimed neorealist film was featured in the latest Sight and Sound Poll (#144 in 2012 critics' poll and #59 in the directors' one). It received two Academy Award nominations for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, and it won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Also, its release was influential in establishing the rating system that is still used by the MPAA.
Thoughts: This enigmatic art-house thriller is a great film, which is somewhat responsible for films like Coppola's The Conversation and De Palma's Blow Out. In his first big role, David Hemmings gives a solid performance, embodying the depraved photographer with ease. The film is well-crafted all around, with stunning achievements in production design, editing and cinematography. Antonioni's neorealist style might not be for everyone, but this is more accessible than his most famous film L'Avventura. If you haven't experienced one of his films, Blow-Up would be a great place to start.
Rating: ****
This is the ninth film in my 2013 Blind Spot Series, as first started by Ryan McNeil.
While I prefer L'Avventura, this film is definitely his most entertaining as I just love the way Antonioni creates those compositions as well the music as I was enthralled by the appearance of the Yardbirds doing "Train Kept A-Rollin'".
ReplyDeleteYeah, this is the more entertaining film. Though, I really need to rewatch L'Avventura, as I haven't seen it in years.
DeleteOther than Redgrave, and the visual look and feel of the film, I was really disappointed with this. It felt unfinished to me, and the few scenes that seemed to carry depth (like the house party scene) were quickly disregarded for more emptiness. I get that I'm completely in the minority though.
ReplyDeleteFair point. I'm in the minority on films like Brokeback Mountain, Little Miss Sunshine and some Pixar films. For some reason, I can't think of any classics I don't like at the moment.
DeleteIs that a young Vanessa Redgrave in the pic? I can't tell as I only saw her early role in Camelot. Sounds like this is a good one to check out.
ReplyDeleteNo, that's Veruschka von Lehndorff. If you're at all interested, I'd recommend it.
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