My evenings with Rocco

Films/DVD Asylum

Movies from comedy to drama to your favorite Hollyweird Star.

Following our discussion on Visconti, we spent two nights watching Rocco and his Brothers.
Too much of a film for one night - almost 3 hours... ok, make it "too much for one night after work".
To cut through the chase, it is a wonderful film from a great director. It is dry and unpretentios, yet poignant in places, and generally very human in its presentation.
There is nothing of that nasty Hollywood sugar-coating and blown-out characters - everyone there is simply a person. Some - bigger one, some - no so, but you can relate to all of them in one way or another - try to relate to Will Hunting...
The family story is not too melodramatic - as some of those "family" films do sometimes. Instead it is almost too simple and understated. The film's slow pace is deliberate, reflecting that of most true lives, so one is grateful to the director for not cutting it down too much - we often need that time to let the emotions settle in, and Visconti gives us plenty of chance to absorb the mood... but well, not the action, fortunately. As the mood indeed dominates the film, and the bits and pieces of action and events are simply there to give us the hint.
One can't not notice the beautiful Nino Rota music as soon as the movie starts. It has two flavors that you will instantly recognize. One is the familiar God Father undertones. And the other - the most beautiful light and jumpy haunting melodies of his best works for Fellini.
The young (she's 29 there) Annie Girardot is beautiful, and... looks surprisingly similar to Masina in Nights of Cabiria... heck, some scenes will instantly remind you of that film - remember those endless sliding closet doors?
But this is the similarity you will often see between two great masters - between Gainsborough and Levitski... it in no way take away anything from their greatness.
Delon is well cast, completely in place in that role, although overplays it in a couple of scenes. But definitely one of his best roles.
The film is most decidedly recommended to anyone who loves good films - and I am glad I gave it another viewing after all these years.

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Topic - My evenings with Rocco - Victor Khomenko 06:49:36 09/26/03 (0)

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