MovieChat Forums > La dolce vita (1961) Discussion > Underwhelming While Watching But...

Underwhelming While Watching But...

posted 15 years ago by Burleigh7
6 replies | jump to latest

After finishing the 3 hour film, a couple days later, it suddenly all came into place. Yes, the movie was way too drawn out, yet it had so many rich layers; the fact that it reveled in the "sweet life" while also showing the emptiness of it, the emotionally shattering scene with Marcello and his father, the astounding and abhorrent spectacle of the "fake miracle", and of course the famous ending. Did anyone else watch the film and feel "blah, this is overrated, but when thinking about it afterward realize what a powerful film it is?

[–] PhoenixPhuck 14 years ago

Watch it again...it might captivate you on repeated viewings and surprise you that you weren't so taken by it the first time around.

Even the most primitive society has an innate respect for the insane.

[–] Burleigh7 14 years ago

indeed, I'm just about to finish watching it for the third time xD

[–] gashousemartin 14 years ago

I just watched it for the first time this morning. I enjoyed it, but didn't get the greatness of it. But now about 5 hours later I'm still thinking about it, which to me is the mark of a great movie. I will rewatch.

[–] ShutterShocked 14 years ago

That's how I feel about ALL of Fellini's movies. It feels like I'm getting a tooth pulled while I'm watching it, but afterward I realize the images from the films are quite memorable and vivid. It's really strange.

[–] Walterodim 13 years ago

Same here.

8 1/2 felt exactly the same. Hard to watch, but after you've seen the film, it stays with you.

Truly amazing filmmaking

word by word

[–] Maniac_In_Black 7 years ago

True!