8½

“he doesn’t know how to love” a magical realist introspection into insecure masculinity, dissecting the madonna/whore complex and catholic guilt and how it affects Guido’s inability to commit to a woman, or a script. he can’t make honest art because he’s dishonest with himself and his wife it really feels almost TOO personal. this is, as the mise en scene reminds us over and over, a confession. Fellini doesn’t try to hide the fact that he is Guido— and Guido’s sins must surely be his own. but in these healing baths Guido dies and is born again, baptized in honesty, just as Fellini through 8 1/2 cleanses himself before his 9th film. 35mm at the American Cinematheque/ LF3