MovieChat Forums > Il giardino dei Finzi Contini (1971) Discussion > Underwhelmed on revisitation....(SPOI LE...

Underwhelmed on revisitation....(SPOI LER)

posted 14 years ago by cookiela2001
5 replies | jump to latest

I've always known this film to have a great reputation, and I remember thinking it was really beautiful when I saw it when I was little.

But watching it again as an adult, it doesn't seem like the story structure really delivers much drama. I thought there would be more excitement around someone having to make a fateful choice of some kind...but basically, we just see these people living their lives...they're finally taken away...the end.

Also, I hate the closing shots, where the actors are obviously just waving their tennis rackets around for closeups. It's obvious they're not actually hitting tennis balls. It kind of undercuts the poignancy of getting a last glimpse of the characters.

I wonder if the novel has more of a point to it...or if it's merely a memory piece of people living in a certain place and time.

[–] preppy-3 13 years ago

I agree with your review to a point. I actually loved it and thought it was a fascinating look at what it was like in Germany before the Nazis take over. It IS slow and there's not a lot of drama but I think that's just the point. It isn't for everybody but I loved it when I saw it.

[–] jtfriday2000 11 years ago

I agree with your review to a point. I actually loved it and thought it was a fascinating look at what it was like in Germany before the Nazis take over. It IS slow and there's not a lot of drama but I think that's just the point. It isn't for everybody but I loved it when I saw it.

How could you possibly come to the conclusion that the setting of this movie is in Germany?

My sig: why do almost all movies on imdb have a "worst movie ever!" thread?

[–] KnatLouie 11 years ago

How could you possibly come to the conclusion that the setting of this movie is in Germany?

Maybe s/he saw the German dubbed version? And/or was oblivious to the fact that Germany and Italy are two entirely different countries.

Either that, or the person wasn't paying attention to the movie AT ALL.

[–] Balok-2 9 years ago

But watching it again as an adult, it doesn't seem like the story structure really delivers much drama. I thought there would be more excitement around someone having to make a fateful choice of some kind...but basically, we just see these people living their lives...they're finally taken away...the end.

I also felt that I was watching one of those Italian films where you sit around waiting for something to happen, but nothing ever does -- which is why I tend to think that de Sica's initial reaction when he was first offered the project, namely, that the material was more suited to Antonioni, may have been the correct one.

[–] 9 years ago

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