Michaelangelo Antonioni is/was an interesting director, but personally more appreciate and recognise him for his influence in film rather than love him. His films are extremely well made and interesting on a thematic level (some like urban alienation being ground-breaking) and his directing style is unique. His style and films are not for all tastes though, for while his films fascinate and transfix many they alienate and perplex others, both sides understandable.
'Le Amiche' may not be one of his most best-known or most important films, other films of his may have scenes with slightly more staying power and their themes more ground-breaking. Actually though, 'Le Amiche' is one of my favourite Antonioni films all the same, even though it is an early effort and made when he was still settling his style. It is one of his more accessible films, one of the easiest to connect with emotionally for me and it had clearer and more individual character/story development than other films of his. Also he doesn't try to do too much here and he doesn't hammer the points home too hard that it feels heavy-handed. Even though an early film, 'Le Amiche' sees Antonioni experimenting with the story structure especially, as well as some of the camera work (the long takes showing no signs of breaking).
As always with Antonioni, 'Le Amiche' is very striking visually. The black and white still looks stunning, the scenery is wonderfully vivid in every frame and there is ingenious use of unbroken long takes that helps give depth to the characters and their individual stories. The music is thankfully the kind that complements rather than clashes and has no trouble fitting with the tone and atmosphere.
The writing didn't come over as rambling to me and instead came over as sincere and thought-provoking. The story was far from shallow and far from vague, the very intriguing themes handled in a way that made impact but not in a way that one feels like they are being preached at. It doesn't come over as incoherent or confused either, or like a disjointed hodge-podge, while the characters are startlingly rich in individuality. A really great job is done giving dimension and meaning to the characters and much of the storytelling had charm and poignancy, didn't find myself detached here. The characters feel real, not ciphers with some of the strongest female character writing seen in any film by me recently. The male characters aren't quite as strong but aren't focused on as much and they still intrigue.
Eleanora Rosi Drago and Valentina Cortese are especially magnificent of the cast, one where Antonioni coaxes uniformly never less than fine performances out of. The film is beautifully directed by Antonioni, it never came over as dull, the social groupings are suitably elaborate and the extended afternoon beach sequence is unforgettable (a fine example too of this visual mastery and how Antonioni excelled so well here in the experimenting).
Overall, a wonderful film and one of my favourites from Antonioni. 10/10 Bethany Cox
'Le Amiche' may not be one of his most best-known or most important films, other films of his may have scenes with slightly more staying power and their themes more ground-breaking. Actually though, 'Le Amiche' is one of my favourite Antonioni films all the same, even though it is an early effort and made when he was still settling his style. It is one of his more accessible films, one of the easiest to connect with emotionally for me and it had clearer and more individual character/story development than other films of his. Also he doesn't try to do too much here and he doesn't hammer the points home too hard that it feels heavy-handed. Even though an early film, 'Le Amiche' sees Antonioni experimenting with the story structure especially, as well as some of the camera work (the long takes showing no signs of breaking).
As always with Antonioni, 'Le Amiche' is very striking visually. The black and white still looks stunning, the scenery is wonderfully vivid in every frame and there is ingenious use of unbroken long takes that helps give depth to the characters and their individual stories. The music is thankfully the kind that complements rather than clashes and has no trouble fitting with the tone and atmosphere.
The writing didn't come over as rambling to me and instead came over as sincere and thought-provoking. The story was far from shallow and far from vague, the very intriguing themes handled in a way that made impact but not in a way that one feels like they are being preached at. It doesn't come over as incoherent or confused either, or like a disjointed hodge-podge, while the characters are startlingly rich in individuality. A really great job is done giving dimension and meaning to the characters and much of the storytelling had charm and poignancy, didn't find myself detached here. The characters feel real, not ciphers with some of the strongest female character writing seen in any film by me recently. The male characters aren't quite as strong but aren't focused on as much and they still intrigue.
Eleanora Rosi Drago and Valentina Cortese are especially magnificent of the cast, one where Antonioni coaxes uniformly never less than fine performances out of. The film is beautifully directed by Antonioni, it never came over as dull, the social groupings are suitably elaborate and the extended afternoon beach sequence is unforgettable (a fine example too of this visual mastery and how Antonioni excelled so well here in the experimenting).
Overall, a wonderful film and one of my favourites from Antonioni. 10/10 Bethany Cox