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The beauty of this film cannot be overestimated. Let us start with the color white and how it is used--in the fabric of women's garments, the tables and chairs in the nightclub scenes, the pure cleanness of the spa, with its crucifix like cross to remind us that this is definitely a Catholic film, but one that dares to question the very nature of Catholicism.
And the women--Claudia Cardinale, Anouke Aimee, Barbara Steele--yes! --and Eddra Gale, who, as prostitute by the sea Saraghina, steals the show! The whole question of the morality of the boys visiting her just to dance, with the ocean as a stunning backdrop asks the question of Catholicism how something so innocent and beautiful could be so immoral. I have to hand it to Fellini for taking on these issues.
One surprise of the film is that the viewer gains insight into the type of film Guido (Marcello at his most Mastroianni) is going to make--a dystopian sci-fi epic with a launching pad set worthy of a surreal production of Sondheim's "Company."
It comes as no surprise that Piero Gheradi's costumes won the Oscar for Best Black And White Costume Design for 1963. And the film won Best Foreign Film.
To think when I was a child such films were considered "dirty." The visuals, and Fellin's use of geometrics and textures is inspired, as is his use of women--not just anorexic looking models, but plus sized, curvy ones.
While there are some sad moments--Guido and Lusa, Guido and his parents--the film literally ends as a circular celebration of life. I cannot wait to see this on the screen.
Those having never seen it at all, like me, it is time you did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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