I saw 'The Golden Coach' twenty years ago in a big screen revival. I don't recall that I liked it or disliked it. Actually, I don't recall much about it at all. So I thought I'd watch it again, now that I have hundreds of really great films under my belt ...and I see why nothing stuck in my head. It's trying very hard to be important; by rejecting the usual Hollywood treatment and pacing. But it dilly-dallies with a static, indifferent structure wherein Anna Maganani pinballs between three men who are after her. If I had the patience I could scour this for the transitory meaning of objects (No thanks, I'll take "The Earrings of Madame de...") but the apparent level of the movie never drew me in, so I'm not especially interested in the underpinnings.
I have never understood the appeal of Magnani. She is a a brassy, loud mouth vulgarian, and a turn-off of epic proportions. She's clearly approaching her over-ripe, matronly years here, and the idea that 3 men could fall all over themselves for her is absurd. Her trademark in this film is some full-throated proectile laughter which probably broke a lot of objects downwind. They seem to be cashing in on her laugh. It's as if crowds adored in in a breakout role the previous year (where she laughed once) and this was conceived as the merest excuse to have her laugh like a jackal every 4 minutes.
On the set of the Fugitive Kind she was reportedly incensed, and increasingly unhinged because Brando did not find her attractive, nor have a tryst with her. The lady does not seem to have understood her limitations. She was lucky to have the career she did. She peaked with her first film, where she played a care-worn wartime schlub/housewife.
I have never understood the appeal of Magnani. She is a a brassy, loud mouth vulgarian, and a turn-off of epic proportions. She's clearly approaching her over-ripe, matronly years here, and the idea that 3 men could fall all over themselves for her is absurd. Her trademark in this film is some full-throated proectile laughter which probably broke a lot of objects downwind. They seem to be cashing in on her laugh. It's as if crowds adored in in a breakout role the previous year (where she laughed once) and this was conceived as the merest excuse to have her laugh like a jackal every 4 minutes.
On the set of the Fugitive Kind she was reportedly incensed, and increasingly unhinged because Brando did not find her attractive, nor have a tryst with her. The lady does not seem to have understood her limitations. She was lucky to have the career she did. She peaked with her first film, where she played a care-worn wartime schlub/housewife.