While I used to hate the films of Fellini, I have recently seen several more and re-seen a few and have a greater appreciation for the director. In particular, I did not like LA STRADA the first time, but now think it is a wonderful film and his earlier "forgotten" films are exceptional. My particular favorite of all his films is the segment he did for BOCCACCIO 70--it was very surreal and hilarious. However, despite my increased appreciation, I STILL don't particularly like Le NOTTI di CABIRIA--though I liked it a little more the second time because at least I could see that it was technically well-made. However, the story itself of a prostitute who wants to be loved and cared for is unrelentingly awful and depressing--so much so that I never want to see it again. Part of this might be because I am more a romantic at heart and part of it is that I just feel the film is wildly overrated. Sure, Giulietta Masina did a fine job--she was a fine actress (as well as Fellini's wife), but this doesn't make the movie. The problem is that the movie is so unrelentingly realistic and grim. Sure, in real life prostitutes don't find love and are often abused--but do I really have to see this movie to know this?! The film starts with Masina getting beaten up and nearly killed by her "boyfriend" and the film ends much the same way. Everything else in between is leading us to believe that this inevitable ending might not occur, but it does. Now I am not saying I want a vacuous and insipid film about a prostitute with a heart of gold--after all, my review for PRETTY WOMAN was savage (I truly, truly hated that movie). But other than a grim lesson that life sucks, I really can't see why I would recommend this film. It's good, but not at all pleasant. For people that can stand all the emotional pain, you may like it a lot more than me--I just want something a little more uplifting and likable.
Review of Nights of Cabiria
