Eboli

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William L Slow-paced but not lethargic, Christ Stopped at Eboli feels like a condensed odyssey - one man's journey to a deeper understanding of humanity beyond that which knowledge alone can provide. It is a clash between urban and rural, academics vs. peasants, where Volonté's Levi (a victim of state political swings) contends with the residents of an isolated village first with a sense of removed offhandedness, too polite to openly disapprove of their simplicity, superstitions, or lack of nuance. As the years progress, however, he begins to see the beauty in their less busy way of life, and their perennial suffering as unheard victims of unfeeling policymakers of the cities, in a prolonged revelation that has almost religious undertones. Highly dependent on character, Rosi and Levi himself (the film is based on a true story) craft believable personas full of details that are empathetic and entertaining in equal measure. The film takes a very humane approach to them all, addressing their conflicts without much in the way of ideological bias (apart from a critique of fascist ideology here and there, but with context identifying them as simply the current head that wear the crown). A relatively seldom-referenced but well-made and emotionally resonant piece of filmmaking that goes beyond relevance to its particular setting. If there is one piece of non-fictional information that the film has taught me, it's that Mussolini couldn't give a rousing speech quite as well as some of the other tyrants bouncing around mid-20th century Europe. And yes, that's El Indio from A Few Dollars More suffering in existential isolation! (4/5) Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/07/21 Full Review Audience Member For director Beineix, obviously a filmmaker of literal vision if not narrative discipline, the mother/whore dichotomy becomes the embodiment of his third feature film's title character. With an indulgent running time that borders on the ridiculous- exactly three hours- one would think that Beineix could find the time to go in between or even beyond these two constructed poles of female self. Alas, no. An ace shooter he may be (Those sunsets! The way the neon reflects on the wet street!), but so too is any given male porn star. Betty Blue is content to stand back and watch as Betty herself slowly unravels in her inability to ever truly embody either the mother (someone to settle down and have children with) nor the whore (an uninhibited and insatiable sex goddess) that her committed lover wants. (She would be first the latter, then the former, natch). This not only shortchanges an entire gender (albeit one that has become all but accustomed to it), it forsakes a prime tenet of cinema. Which is, that in and around the inherent directness of the medium- a central strength, to be sure- there is the potential for subtle observations- essential grace notes that can be everything- lurking in the cracks, hovering on the fringes. Such instances are not altogether absent in Betty Blue, they're just absent completely for her. (Cue another nude scene.) Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Its the most important film I have seen. And I never would have guessed that it would be. The film takes you in, takes you down and takes you over. For me it is the essence of Italy. And the filming of this movie is a miracle. After I saw the movie I ordered the book. When I read the book I was just playing back a movie that is all poetry. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Michael L An essential cinema experience. One of a handful of films that has a deep, personal meaning for me. Gian Maria Volontè is great, and the cinematography is quietly arresting. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/21/20 Full Review Audience Member Perhaps of perfect authenticity and realism, the brief account of events is too subtle to attain its enlightenment. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Audience Member Has some power. Now read the book. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Eboli

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