Movie Review: Amacord

Experience the fantasia of Amarcord! | Photo courtesy of Criterion

Amacord, one of Federico Fellini's most personally telling films, opens at the Landmark Nuart Theater in Santa Monica today for a limited engagement. Told through a series of narratives from each of the main character's perspectives, the film follows some of Fellini's childhood experiences in the seaside village of Rimini, set against the peak of Fascism in Italy in the 1930s. For those who may be unfamiliar with Fellini, his style is boldly unique and is considered by some to be an acquired taste. Personally, we find the boldness refreshing. There is a surreal quality in his storytelling that begs us to take a step back in time, both in the physical world and in the intangible depths of memory. His use of imagery is often stunningly vivid and unforgettable and sets the tone for a lengthy, dreamlike memoir.

The townspeople of Rimini are larger than life, going about their daily lives with the kind of zest and passion to be envied. Most of them fit a common stereotype that is laughable, from the boisterous, blue-collar brick workers to the guilt-laden, confessing Catholics, to the flirtatious corner cat callers. Somewhere in the middle is the dysfunctional Biondi family. Each family member represents a part of Fellini’s childhood, helping to paint a picture that illustrates his undying love for his country.

Support your local movie theater! | Photo courtesy of Burns! via Flickr

First there is Miranda (Pupella Maggio), the head of the Biondi household. She is overworked and undersexed, and always on the verge of losing her mind. She threatens to kill herself numerous times throughout the film, much to her family’s ambivalence. Then there is her temperamental husband, Aurelio (Armando Brancia), who is an outsider at home and abroad, a rogue Communist among Fascist friends and family. The relationship he shares with his wife is wildly inappropriate, but comical at the same time.

Then there is Titta (Bruno Zanin), the rosy-cheeked, mischievous baby of the family. Often the instigator in pranks and arguments between his parents, Titta is a boy on the verge of blossoming out of adolescence, but not ready to accept the responsibilities and societal demands that adulthood brings. Through each character's point of view, common themes of loyalty and love are explored, all within the context of what it means to be a part of a family, a part of a society, and for the filmmaker, a part of a world during a period of time that will forever be remembered.

The story has far more depth than can be adequately covered in this space -- and we'd hate to deprive anyone of experiencing the film first-hand -- so we'll pause here and leave the rest for you to discover. These days, classic films are usually only seen on DVD by the occasionally ambitious Netflix customer. While that's commendable, some should be seen on the majestic silver screen to be fully appreciated. Amarcord is one of these so make the trek out to the Nuart Theater in the next few days and enjoy one of the finest surrealist films of our time!