Photograph by DME

Paolo Sorrentino’s film has been called by critics a tribute to fellow Italian director Federico Fellini. That does make me want to see La Dolce Vita and Roma, because if this is a tribute, I want to see the inspiration.

Toni Servillo is ‘Jep Gambordella’, the aging playboy who discovers upon his 65th birthday that there may be more to life than eternal narcissism. Eternity seems beckoning, and questions about the great beyond aren’t answered here, but they are alluded to.

I assume The Great Beauty of the films title is a combination of the beauty of the main character’s first love Elisa, Rome itself and maybe life in general. Contrasted with this beauty is the ugliness of the wretched excess of Jep’s life until now.

I cannot say with 100 % certainty (but close to), that Hollywood could never make a movie like this from a technical aspect at least. From my point of view, why this movie is so beautiful in and of itself, is the photography. The lighting to be specific.

Hollywood is more about things going flash – bang (!) in a very loud way. Computer Generated Images and product merchandising are more their style. The idea that they could pull off what Sorrentino has, staggers the mind.

Any photographer has had those times where it all comes together in a perfect shoot. This film is 2 hours and 20 minutes of perfect shots. Not knowing anything about film production, I would have to guess the credit goes to cinematographer Luca Bigazzi, or maybe it is some lighting director. I would not be surprised to learn that it was shot on actual film, it is that rich.

Maybe 20 % of the movie was shot in daylight. The rest of the film  was shot at dusk, twilight and night. Most people can’t do that well, this film did. At those light levels you have to be spot on with exposures. The result is deep colors and wonderful shadows.

The other aspect besides Toni Servillo’s performance and the lighting, was the pulsing music during the dance scenes. It seemed to capture the essence of the “passionate” Italians.