8½

My pick for today's film is none other then Fellini's classic, 1963's 8½ , Marcello Mastroianni plays Guido Anselmi a troubled filmmaker at the peak of his career but also at the peak of his creative barren as he tries to get a new film made, overwhelmed by everything around him he finds himself looking back at the past, his loves and his present for inspiration which soon spirals out of control as his new film becomes more autobiographical as it goes along and as Guido Anselmi's sanity starts to crack creativity and personally. 8½ is Fellini's most acclaimed work and no wonder, I love this film. It's not only a perfect portrait of a troubled filmmaker but also a wonderous journey into the mind of a artist and their often disastrously beautiful mess of visions. I dare even say it's the most definitive film on filmmaking. How Fellini uses surrealist imagery and film language match with his style, the dream scape atmosphere and Fellini's dark comedic tone throughout all add up to an experience you are truly drown into and feel the hectic creative madness of main character, Guido Anselmi, played by the brilliant Marcello Mastroianni. Like the best of actors, his eyes tell you everything, even with those cool sunglasses on, he's sometimes understated, sometimes expressive, sometimes charismatic, sometimes narrasstic and ugly performance make you believe he is Guido Anselmi to the point where every movement in his face or body feels natural and extremely convincing. I find the character completely fascinating in that you find him likeable yet unlikable at the sametime, his stress, creative ideas and some of his thoughts of remorse and nostalgia make him feel very damaged, tired and lost which you can relate to but as the film does on we start see all his ugly sides, he has no care for the people who loves him the most, his conflicts with his creative and egotistical parts of himself, he lies to people, he's a complete sadist and masochist and sometimes his attitude is just so rude and needlessly vile, the film exposes him more to the point where you pity and feels bad for him at the sametime (more on the script later). The other actors do a great job balancing the dark comedy and the harsh drama while remaining convincing and dedicated to their roles. Theres also quite a few recognizable actors included especially for world cinema buffs like the always beautiful Claudia Cardinale, Demy's Lola herself Anouk Aimée and horror icon Barbra Steele. The script's dealing of its themes and characters is truly timeless with the surrealist and dream qualities of 8½ making you feel like you literally just wake up from a long dream after its over, Fellini's imagery and direction definitely add a lot to this effect with the most notable moment of this being the opening scene which creates a immediate atmosphere that digs deeper into an other worldly dreamy existence as the film goes on to the point where by the end you don't know what's reality or dreams thats playing out in front of you which effectively put you, the viewer right in the main character's head as the world around him breaks apart. The film plays out more like poetic hazy dreams then a normal story which differentiate 8½ from other movies of not only that time but also other movies about filmmaking and heck it's still unique and different even after 60 years upon its release. Special mention here has to go to Nino Rota's soundtrack as well, the combination of jazz and orchestral score adds a lot to the film and the melodies, songs and instrumentation heard throughout creates a circus like energy that gives the film even more flavour then it already has but undoubtedly it's the direction that gives the film it's all, Fellini's direction here is poetic, visual, colorful (even if the film is in black and white) and playfully masterful. He uses his sets, actors and scenes like no body else and Fellini was truly ahead of time, 8½ is a true testament of when everything come together to create a amazing motion picture and I have a feeling this film is gonna stuck with me for a very long time. If you haven't watch 8½ yet, what the hell are you doing? I would dare say it's one of those rare films that you can see everywhere even without seeing it. Everyone from the famous to the obscure, to the in between filmmakers is in some way inspired by 8½. Its honesty and poetic exploration of filmmaking, striking and artistic visuals, stunning actors and hazy and dreamy atmosphere is untop and unlike anything else then and since, I for one can say, it really struck me and now it's time for 8½, with all its beauty to struck you.