8 1/2 - Criterion Collection
starring: Bruno Agostini, Anouk Aimée, Guido Alberti, Caterina Boratto, Claudia Cardinale
directed by: Federico Fellini
directed by: Federico Fellini
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Product Description:
Studio: Image EntertainmentRelease Date: 12/04/2001Run time: 138 minutes
Amazon.com essential video:
Federico Fellini's 1963 semi-autobiographical story about a worshipped filmmaker who has lost his inspiration is still amesmerizing mystery tour that has been quoted (Woody Allen's StardustMemories, Paul Mazursky's Alex in Wonderland) but never duplicated. Marcello Mastroianni plays Guido, a director trying to relax a bit in the wake of his latest hit. Besieged by people eager to work with him, however, he also strugglesto find his next idea for a film. The combined pressures draw him withinhimself, where his recollections of significant events in his life and the many lovers he has left behind begin to haunt him. The marriage of Fellini'shyperreal imagery, dreamy sidebars, and the gravity of Guido's increasing guiltand self-awareness make this as much a deeply moving, soulful film as it isan electrifying spectacle. Mastroianni is wonderful in the lead, his woozy sensitivity to Guido's freefall both touching and charming--all themore so as the character becomes increasingly divorced from the celebrity hypethat ultimately outpaces him. --Tom Keogh
Studio: Image EntertainmentRelease Date: 12/04/2001Run time: 138 minutes
Amazon.com essential video:
Federico Fellini's 1963 semi-autobiographical story about a worshipped filmmaker who has lost his inspiration is still amesmerizing mystery tour that has been quoted (Woody Allen's StardustMemories, Paul Mazursky's Alex in Wonderland) but never duplicated. Marcello Mastroianni plays Guido, a director trying to relax a bit in the wake of his latest hit. Besieged by people eager to work with him, however, he also strugglesto find his next idea for a film. The combined pressures draw him withinhimself, where his recollections of significant events in his life and the many lovers he has left behind begin to haunt him. The marriage of Fellini'shyperreal imagery, dreamy sidebars, and the gravity of Guido's increasing guiltand self-awareness make this as much a deeply moving, soulful film as it isan electrifying spectacle. Mastroianni is wonderful in the lead, his woozy sensitivity to Guido's freefall both touching and charming--all themore so as the character becomes increasingly divorced from the celebrity hypethat ultimately outpaces him. --Tom Keogh
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- A Masterpiece
I firstsaw this film over 40 years ago and saw it again about two weeks ago. Not only does it remain fresh today but every time I see itI get new meaning about life from it. The film just keeps giving. An unrivaled gift from Fellini and a true masterpiece
Rating: - One of the best I've ever seen
This is one of the most wonderfully moving films I know.A great creative man has a kind of breakdown - he is not sure that he can continue on, seeking his next project.So he withdraws to a sanatorium, where he attempts to collect himself and rest, so that he can go forward.
There you see his entire life unfold before his imagination:his deeply troubled relationship with his wife (incredibly well played by Anouk Aimee, perhaps her greatest role), his crass mistress who revels ... Read More
Rating: - In Praise of Reticence.
Notes on 8-1/2:
In praise of reticence...
Many critics and reviewers mention the "Creative Block" that the
character of Guido/Fellini experiences. I don't think that is the
case. Rather I believe Guido(Fellini) knows what he can do, and how to do it. What he is actually questioning is whether his next creation, whatever
it might, be is worthy of being created at all. Is what he can do,
artistically valid? When Guido sarcastically and self-mockingly sings:
"I ... Read More
Rating: - slaps your face, but it feels good
A slap in the face to every critic out there.Let art be art for artsake (or is it "arts sake").
Rating: - The Delightful Confusion.....
"The movie business is macabre.Grotesque.It is a combination of a football game and a brothel".Fellini, from the book Fellini on Fellini.
Round and round we go with this film, one of the greatest films ever made, one of my top 10 films, and arguably Fellini's greatest work, or close to it (La Dolce Vita is as good as this one).It's the film where Fellini went into surrealism and dreams and never went back.It's also one of the greatest films ever made about filmmaking and the artistic ... Read More
- A MasterpieceI firstsaw this film over 40 years ago and saw it again about two weeks ago. Not only does it remain fresh today but every time I see itI get new meaning about life from it. The film just keeps giving. An unrivaled gift from Fellini and a true masterpiece
- One of the best I've ever seenThis is one of the most wonderfully moving films I know.A great creative man has a kind of breakdown - he is not sure that he can continue on, seeking his next project.So he withdraws to a sanatorium, where he attempts to collect himself and rest, so that he can go forward.
There you see his entire life unfold before his imagination:his deeply troubled relationship with his wife (incredibly well played by Anouk Aimee, perhaps her greatest role), his crass mistress who revels ... Read More
- In Praise of Reticence.Notes on 8-1/2:
In praise of reticence...
Many critics and reviewers mention the "Creative Block" that the
character of Guido/Fellini experiences. I don't think that is the
case. Rather I believe Guido(Fellini) knows what he can do, and how to do it. What he is actually questioning is whether his next creation, whatever
it might, be is worthy of being created at all. Is what he can do,
artistically valid? When Guido sarcastically and self-mockingly sings:
"I ... Read More
- slaps your face, but it feels goodA slap in the face to every critic out there.Let art be art for artsake (or is it "arts sake").
- The Delightful Confusion....."The movie business is macabre.Grotesque.It is a combination of a football game and a brothel".Fellini, from the book Fellini on Fellini.
Round and round we go with this film, one of the greatest films ever made, one of my top 10 films, and arguably Fellini's greatest work, or close to it (La Dolce Vita is as good as this one).It's the film where Fellini went into surrealism and dreams and never went back.It's also one of the greatest films ever made about filmmaking and the artistic ... Read More
