Definitely not a top tier Fellini, as the rest of his films build on the foundation this lays tenfold, but it’s a pretty damn strong foundation. Really great stuff, thoroughly entertaining, good cautionary tale, and occasionally pretty funny. A great ironic ending too. Enjoyed it quite a bit! Low tier Fellini is still Fellini. Reminds me of Bottle Rocket in that way.

Definitely not a top tier Fellini, as the rest of his films build on the foundation this lays tenfold, but it’s a pretty damn strong foundation. Really great stuff, thoroughly entertaining, good cautionary tale, and occasionally pretty funny. A great ironic ending too. Enjoyed it quite a bit! Low tier Fellini is still Fellini. Reminds me of Bottle Rocket in that way.

The story was for me through the 1st act and half of the second act very creepy and unthoughtful. I think what it transformed into for me was a beautiful meditation on the unfairness and cunning show business but more importantly under all of that how every single creative is lost in this world in some way. The characters seem so unreal but in this unmotivated way of speaking and actions make it detached as if every single performer has their own reasons and has no need to explain themselves. The story transformed beautifully on screen you just had to give it enough time as well as I loved those cliche "it's gonna happen again" endings. Interesting cinematography lots of distant bulb lights and extreme camera angles and negative space typically being city, country or stage background.

The performances of the Lead and supporting girl were phenomenal I absolutely loved their affectation and expressions while being earnest to the plot of the film.

What a wonderful score as well so entertaining.

Even if it wasn't Fellini's direction it was a gift to Fellini being one of the writer's his authorship on the script is heavily apparent even though it's not my introduction to his art work its a very humble, entertaining, and beautiful way to start, so I like to think it is. (I started on 8 1/2)

The story was for me through the 1st act and half of the second act very creepy and unthoughtful. I think what it transformed into for me was a beautiful meditation on the unfairness and cunning show business but more importantly under all of that how every single creative is lost in this world in some way. The characters seem so unreal but in this unmotivated way of speaking and actions make it detached as if every single performer has their own reasons and has no need to explain themselves. The story transformed beautifully on screen you just had to give it enough time as well as I loved those cliche "it's gonna happen again" endings. Interesting cinematography lots of distant bulb lights and extreme camera angles and negative space typically being city, country or stage background.

The performances of the Lead and supporting girl were phenomenal I absolutely loved their affectation and expressions while being earnest to the plot of the film.

What a wonderful score as well so entertaining.

Even if it wasn't Fellini's direction it was a gift to Fellini being one of the writer's his authorship on the script is heavily apparent even though it's not my introduction to his art work its a very humble, entertaining, and beautiful way to start, so I like to think it is. (I started on 8 1/2)

great first film, good ending

strong 6/10

great first film, good ending

strong 6/10

Criterion Collection Challenge #81

I never really know how to feel when watching Fellini but I think overall I am very up and down on his work, love love Amarcord but very mild on and the ship sails on, this one is right in the middle of the two; maintaining the proper creativity but being slightly slow in narrative for the type of film it is. I am watching 81/2 soon so lets hope I love it.

76.6/100

My Lists that include Variety Lights:The Criterion Collection ChallengeEvery Film I watched in December 2024 Ranked

Criterion Collection Challenge #81

I never really know how to feel when watching Fellini but I think overall I am very up and down on his work, love love Amarcord but very mild on and the ship sails on, this one is right in the middle of the two; maintaining the proper creativity but being slightly slow in narrative for the type of film it is. I am watching 81/2 soon so lets hope I love it.

76.6/100

My Lists that include Variety Lights:The Criterion Collection ChallengeEvery Film I watched in December 2024 Ranked

Starting my Fellini journey going through the essential Fellini criterion set in order. Well framed, well acted, but lacked narratively for me. Pretty damn well done for a first feature tho, on to the next

Starting my Fellini journey going through the essential Fellini criterion set in order. Well framed, well acted, but lacked narratively for me. Pretty damn well done for a first feature tho, on to the next