Having six feature films (including "La Strada," "Nights of Cabiria," and "La Dolce Vita"), two short films, and another film that he co-directed under his belt, Federico Fellini released "8 1/2" in 1963. "8 1/2" is my 13th favorite film of all-time, my second favorite film by Fellini, my third favorite film from the 60s, and my favorite film from 1963. The film is a series of vignettes. The main thread of the film is about a director with "director's block" named Guido (played by the immensely talented and charismatic Marcello Mastroianni). Not only is he having trouble with completing or even starting a grandiose science fiction film that contains obvious autobiographical references, but he's also having marital troubles. The other episodes consist of Guido's fantasies, memories, and dreams. The film captures what film can, perhaps, do better than any art-form: the visual mental experiences of a protagonist.
Though the star is the great Mastroianni, the film also has two of the best and most beautiful Italian actresses as well: Anouk Aimee and Sandra Milo. The two play Guido's wife and mistress, respectively. A big reason why the film is so beautiful to look at is simply because these three ooze so much charisma. One can hardly take their eyes off of any of them. Perhaps one of the greatest things about the film is the fact that it works for folks with either highbrow or mainstream sensibilities. Everyone will enjoy, at least, a bit of it. Personally, I can't say any single part is my favorite because the whole damn film is perfect. But I must admit, when I rewatch the film, I find myself in high anticipation for the beach prostitute sequence!
"8 1/2" is often cited as the definitive film about a director. It went on to inspire many films including Truffaut's "Day for Night," Woody Allen's "Stardust Memories," and, recently, Charlie Kaufman's "Synecdoche, New York." It's ranked among the greats in all of the big film polls like Sight & Sound. It's also consistently cited as a favorite among directors such as Terry Gilliam, Martin Scorsese, and Neil Jordan. Lastly, I should say that the film has one of the best endings in all of cinema's history. Most of the players dance around the spaceship on a beach. It comes out of nowhere but feels so perfect and upbeat like the rest of the film. As the credits roll, one really does get the feeling that Fellini has made the true and honest autobiographical film that Guido is unable to make.
*It just so happens that as of the publishing of this review, "8 1/2" is streaming on Netflix!
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