taking on L'Avventura

Films/DVD Asylum

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Been getting these Criterion Special Editions. I knew this has had very mixed reviews. But it is also on some "best movie" lists, so it was time to give it a try.
My first time through, I found it tedious at best.
But this has a commentary track from Gene Youngblood. His first words validated my reaction- he said the audience at Cannes in 1960 jeered and booed. Well, I certainly understood why. But then he went on to say it was a movie that changed his life, showed him for the first time that film could be a true art form, and he started to explain details of the shots that had been carefully planned- the father framed against an old dome, while his daughter was framed against some cheap looking modern apartments.
I'm about halfway through the commentary track. Even Gene Youngblood says that Antonioni can go overboard into self-parody and he pointed out one place in this movie where, in his opinion, that happened.
I guess I was wishing I'd gotten a director that I know I like, like Fellini or Bergman. But with the help of the enthusiastic commentator, I may yet develop an appreciation for this movie.

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Topic - taking on L'Avventura - tunenut 12:59:24 03/19/05 (4)

One of my all time favs - Victor Khomenko 19:29:32 03/19/05 (3)

De Chirico? No, that would be more Bunuel. Antonioni - tinear 04:22:28 03/20/05 (1)

Re: De Chirico? No, that would be more Bunuel. Antonioni - Victor Khomenko 06:23:58 03/20/05 (0)

Re: One of my all time favs - tunenut 20:31:51 03/19/05 (0)

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