Ciao Mastroianni Series

From June 13 – August 1, Cinematheque Ontario presents the third tribute to Marcello Mastroianni.  Mastroianni is arguably the best known Italian actor in North America having acted in films by Master directors that include Federico Fellini, Luchino Visconti. Vittorio De Sica, Pietro Germi, Michelangelo Antonioni and many others.  But mostly, he has acted in countless accessible commercial successful comedies that were seen the world over (including the remote Singapore where I first viewed his films).

In this third tribute, 8 ½, LA DOLCE VITA, LA NOTTE, DIVORCE ITALIAN STYLE, MARRIAGE ITALAIN STYLE are a few of the more notable ones that will be screened.  Mastroianni displays the rare talent of being totally convincing in all the many varied roles he has been in.

Two films (DIVORCE and DOLCE VITA) are capsule reviewed here as they play during the month of June.  Capsule reviews of others (LA NOTTE, WHITE NIGHTS, 8 ½) will appear in July.

Best bet is the double comedy bill of DIVORCE and MARRIAGE ITALIAN STYLE.  I guarantee here, the best night at the cinema.
For complete details of program and screening times, click on:
http://www.cinemathequeontario.ca

DIVORCE, ITALIAN STYLE (Italy 1961) ****
Directed by Pietro Germi

They do not make romantic comedies like these anymore.  Winner of the Oscar for best screenplay, DIVORCE, ITALIAN STYLE is a remarkably accessible really Italian (or rather Sicilian) flavored romance of how one down on his luck aristocrat, Ferdinando Cefalù (Marcello Mastroianni) rids himself of an annoying wife to wed the teenage girl and cousin (Stefania Sandrelli) of his dreams.  Divorce is out of the question, so Ferfe (as his wife calls him) designs a crime of passion.  Germi shows what a rythmatic film is.  From the opening scene with the heads of the two guards bopping up and down in motion with the train, to the music, lighting, melodic speeches but mostly tuned narrative, DIVORCE marks a Master director working at peak form together with actor Mastroianni at his best.  Germi’s attention to detail and gestures adds to setting and atmosphere of the times.  DIVORCE, ITALIAN STYLE is a perfect companion piece to (and should be seen with) Vittorio De Sica’s MARRIAGE, ITALIAN STYLE also with Mastroianni.
(Screening June 14- Saturday and July 4, Friday)

LA DOLCE VITA (Italy/France 1960) ****
Directed by Federico Fellini

Federico Fellini’s sprawling almost 3-hour epic, LA DOLCE VITA of the good life is at times hard to take but one cannot argue that his film of decadent Rome contains images and memories that cannot be forgotten.  Starting with a prolonged segment of a statue of Christ taken out of Rome by helicopter, the scene symbolizes the spirituality and morality taken away to be replaced by a Goddess in the form of an American star played by Anita Ekberg who, in the film’s most famous scene, takes a dive into the famous Trevi fountain.  The protagonist, Paparazzi Marcello Mastroianni is puzzled and cannot decide whether to abandon his suicidal fiance for his newly found wild abandon.  Fellini captures the best parties and dancing ever on screen with the film taking away the Oscar for best black and white costume design.  Fellini is in top form here with his wild observations, wry humour and wicked comments.  LA DOLCE VITA is as its title suggests, full of life and much, much more.  This is one film that demands a repeat viewing every decade.
(Screening June 13- Friday)