The Great Beauty

Whatever...

I've often thought that films which come with a pile of 5-star reviews turn out to be a disappointment. I think that  those people who earn their living by watching films and writing about them are impressed by things that your average punter doesn't much care about. So plaudits like “virtuoso film-making” should always be received with caution. I'd rather have an interesting story than a series of disconnected scenes, however beautifully composed.

So why did it win best film awards all round the world? Perhaps because the people who decide these things recognised themselves in the film?

Feedback score was the lowest of the season so far - 59%:

A	Fascinating reflection on life and its excesses. Beautiful cinematography.
A	Excellent venue!
A
A	Beautifully photographed. Stylish. A film I'll be thinking about for a few days now.
B	An homage to Rome and Fellini.
B	An intriguing and beautiful film. The images so various, so arresting, humorous and tragic by turn. Many poetic touches. It never lost my attention or interest.
B	Beautiful exploration of the hedonism, hypocrisy and futility of modern life. Exquisite photography and imaginative music. The only problem was it was a bit too long.
B
C	Visually and aurally arresting. Interesting subject. But it left me unmoved. Something missing in the execution – cohesion? Perhaps you need to be Italian.
C	DISTRACTED BY HIS WHITE LINEN JACKET! - OR – A BITING SATIRE ON THE SUPERFICIAL NATURE OF MODERN LIFE.
C	Very thought-provoking
C	Probably a bit too “deep” for me. But interesting.
C	Beautiful photography. Mood film.
C	Interesting to watch and hear “Italy” but way too long.
C	Stunning film. Sumptuous lovely costumes and sets. Totally degenerate and meaningless
C	Bit puzzling film but looked beautiful and some very funny moments
C	é bene ma non comprendo tutti.
C	Enjoyed the views of Rome.
C	There were some lovely moments in the film and some wonderful views of the Coliseum but overall it was rather depressing.
C	Beautiful to look at but lacking depth and full of cliches. Thought it had plagiarised Fellini.
C	Cynical decadence – mixed with searching for life's meaning – now we know what a bunga bunga party is like.
D
D	Really not sure
D	Long, contrived and pretentious with occasional sparks of humour and visual beauty.
D	I really did not enjoy this film. Found it very heavy going and thought the main character led a very shallow existence and despite lots of friends seemed lonely and looking for the meaning of life
D	Glad the seats were comfy as it went on a bit. Amusing in parts but somewhat pretentious.
D	Trying too hard to be 'beautiful'. Irritating, shallow people. Some moments of comedy and irony but ultimately self-indulgent.
E	Too long – no cohesiveness to the “story”.
E	Not my thing at all.
E	Not my kind of thing.
E	Who cares! Worst ever! Would have left if I could have done so without distracting others!
U	Bewitched, bothered and bewildered!! But not necessarily in that order!
U	An alternative view of Roman High Life. Give me the simple life!

On-line:
IMDB rating 7.7 out of 10:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2358891/

Rotten Tomatoes. Audience rating 79%
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_great_beauty/

Xan Brooks in the Guardian: “I loved The Great Beauty to bits; it's my film of the year”
http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2013/dec/19/10-best-films-2013-the-great-beauty

Robbie Collin in the Telegraph (5 stars): “a shimmering coup de cinema to make your heart burst”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/golden-globes/10072554/The-Great-Beauty-review.html

Chris Tookey in the MailOnline: “The Great Beauty of this film is the images of Rome and Italy, not the story... Paolo Sorrentino (Il Divo) is a master of cinematic imagery, even if his plots leave a great deal to be desired.”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2412886/The-Great-Beauty-film-images-Rome-Italy-story.html