MovieChat Forums > L'avventura (1961) Discussion > Why do people hate on this film for it b...

Why do people hate on this film for it being too 'slow?'


I honestly didn't think this movie was that slow at all. I can't remember a moment being bored throughout the entirety of the film. I thought the characters, plot, cinematography, and direction were all amazing. This was the first Antonioni film that I've been exposed to, but I found it to be a be a great surprise.

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Very nicely put.

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Based on my own divergent reactions, it's obvious to me that you have to be in a certain mood to appreciate some films (or books, paintings, really any form of art). Some people are in this "mood" (or frame of mind would perhaps be a better term) all the time, some none of the time, and most a mix. I've watched L'Avventura, drinking in the images, finding every frame packed with mystery and beauty. The other night I watched it when I wasn't really in the mood for it after all, and it was a chore to get through. I was restless, my mind on other things, probably should have watched something more narrative, with the story kind of propels you along. I can totally see how someone could just not be taken in at all and wonder what all the fuss is about. We're all wired different ways from one another, sometimes wired differently ourselves from day to day.

Which is why I think if anyone's serious about movies and understanding them, either from the standpoint of a filmmaker, critic, or just connoiseur, you should give films the benefit of the doubt. Try to go to them, rather than make them come to you. Of course if you're just looking for a night's entertainment after a long day at work, it's a different story. Just don't assume your opinion is the final word on the subject.

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I did not hate it, but it definitely was slow. They could have done this movie in two hours, instead of two hours and 23 minutes.

Schrodinger's cat walks into a bar, or doesn't.

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Interesting and I disagree with the pace completely. I felt it flew by, which is the only reason I didn't turn it off. While I hated it on almost every level, the movie's pace was nearly the only enjoyable aspect.

Wow, just realized you wrote this seven and a half years ago...I guess I'm a little slow.

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They're dopes.

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I read about how slow it is and I expected characters walking and doing nothing like typical slow movies but this is not that kind of movie at all.

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The answer is in the question. Because it's too slow.

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