The Great Beauty
Jep Gambardella (the debonair Toni Servillo) is a journalist who treasures the festive and sensuous side of Rome, the parties, the dancing, the cafes, and the women. Some sobering news from the past on the milestone of his 65th birthday inspires Gambardella to reflect deeply on life in his search for its great true beauty. Jep is a powerful and thoroughly charming character who captivates our attention as much as the scenery. He’s attractive and well dressed, intelligent and cultured. And he’s a deep thinker whose firm opinions are grounded in sound logic, which makes him a challenging mind to debate. In his early years, Jep wrote a novel that was highly celebrated, and the fact that he never wrote another is a question that hovers over the film like a shadow.
The Great Beauty
Italian writer/director Paolo Sorrentino creates this artistic indulgence that’s been nominated for Best Foreign Film (Italian with English subtitles). Its two-and-one-third hours running time could use a little condensing, but compared to Americans, Europeans have all the time in the world. Reminiscent of the iconic filmmaking styles of Federico Fellini and American contemporary David Lynch, The Great Beauty is equally rich in comedy and philosophical meaning. With its fascinating view through the eyes of Gambardella, The Great Beauty delivers plenty of food for thought along with a visual banquet of the splendor of Rome and its endless array of eccentric citizens. B+