The Great Beauty is one of the best films I’ve seen lately. It strikes me as a re-mix of sorts. Part Fellini, but not as wildly imagined but every bit imagined in the way the scenes are cut together. Some of the characters are very Fellini-esque. Part Antonioni. He actually holds shots and stays away from over use of quick cuts. It reminds me of Wes Anderson. But a better version of Wes Anderson. More robust and less surfac-y; maybe less theatrical in the way ideas are introduced and carried through to make an arc. There’s a lot more meat on the bone in this film. The photography kills. It’s a great mix of locked down shots and very fluid camera work. The way the camera moves is phenomenal. It is beautifully filmed, acted, orchestrated and ultimately directed. The score is so incredibly spot on in each scene. Every element moves this beautiful film forward like eight cylinders in a car that doesn’t need gas. It’s being driven completely by imagination.
The MOVI shots move through each scene as though it was a person. Speeding up, slowing down. Very beautifully photographed; there’s a irrational fluidity to the way it’s used here. Best in class.