I've enjoyed this film many times now and it never fails to delight me. All of the singers, particularly Luciano Pavarotti are magnificent. His voice is at his absolute best with all the power, intensity and sparkle that made him such a delightful performer. I enjoyed Edita Gruberova's Gilda very much as well, with her wonderful high notes that could simply float in the air and take me with them.
One thing I really love about the film is the clear and decisive choices the director made and some of the insights into the depths of the story. Examples of this are when the courtiers are watching Gilda during her "Caro Nome". I understand that it was Verdi and Piave who put them there, but watching the film I really got the sense that even a moment so private and rapturous for Gilda, the daughter of a hunchbacked jester is nothing more than a joke for those in power. Rigoletto is really about dehumanization and the incredible difference between the powers of the wealthy and the impotent ones who serve them. Rigoletto's attempt at revenge isn't even noticed by the powerful Duke.
Other reviewers have complained about the lip-syncing and the acting. First, the lip-syncing is all but a necessity and I feel it frees up the performers to focus more on their acting. The acting is, admittedly, exaggerated, as you might expect from stage actors, but is also extremely expressive and clearly helps tell the story, even if you don't fully understand the Italian text.
I was thoroughly entertained and impressed.
One thing I really love about the film is the clear and decisive choices the director made and some of the insights into the depths of the story. Examples of this are when the courtiers are watching Gilda during her "Caro Nome". I understand that it was Verdi and Piave who put them there, but watching the film I really got the sense that even a moment so private and rapturous for Gilda, the daughter of a hunchbacked jester is nothing more than a joke for those in power. Rigoletto is really about dehumanization and the incredible difference between the powers of the wealthy and the impotent ones who serve them. Rigoletto's attempt at revenge isn't even noticed by the powerful Duke.
Other reviewers have complained about the lip-syncing and the acting. First, the lip-syncing is all but a necessity and I feel it frees up the performers to focus more on their acting. The acting is, admittedly, exaggerated, as you might expect from stage actors, but is also extremely expressive and clearly helps tell the story, even if you don't fully understand the Italian text.
I was thoroughly entertained and impressed.