There are a few special movies that are both adored and loathed in equal measure by viewers, and "Blow-Up" is certainly one of the most discussed of these movies. I'll admit that I love thought provoking movies that stay with you long after you've seen them. Unlike most of the Hollywood tripe we get these days that you all but forget 5 minutes after the credits have rolled past.
A number of reviews point to the "confusing" nature of the story or that plot points are left unexplored or entire characters are disposed of without a second thought and so on. These reviews are however missing the point that Antonioni is trying to make as these are central to the very idea that the movie is exploring : the nature of reality. Thus the movie should not be viewed as confusing as it is left purposefully ambiguous by director Antonioni.
The central narrative of the film turns around a successful photographer whom unwittingly films an apparent murder in a public park. The problem arises when he starts to scrutinize the evidence. The closer he looks at his film the more ambiguous it becomes and at the end he, and the audience, is left wondering whether he saw anything at all.
The true brilliance of the movie lies in the fact the Antonioni never explicitly gives any answers to the questions posed throughout the film. Instead he leaves it up to the viewers to decide for themselves. In so doing he allows the audience to impose their reality onto the movie, instead of the director imposing his reality onto the viewer. Was any of it real or merely a far fetched fantasy? You be the judge.
On it's surface the movie is almost a detective story or murder mystery, but these waters run far deeper. As I mentioned above in "Blow-Up" Michelangelo Antonioni explores the nature of reality. When does something have meaning? Can you will something into existence? And if something loses it's meaning, can it then cease to exist altogether? Definitely a movie that demands multiple viewings, and one that is well worth the effort.
The questions posed have as much relevance today as they had in 1966, and the story is told in a highly entertaining and clever way. Granted this is not a movie for everyone, much like Mulholland Drive and Barton Fink are not for everyone, but if you have an open mind the I'll highly recommend this movie.
A number of reviews point to the "confusing" nature of the story or that plot points are left unexplored or entire characters are disposed of without a second thought and so on. These reviews are however missing the point that Antonioni is trying to make as these are central to the very idea that the movie is exploring : the nature of reality. Thus the movie should not be viewed as confusing as it is left purposefully ambiguous by director Antonioni.
The central narrative of the film turns around a successful photographer whom unwittingly films an apparent murder in a public park. The problem arises when he starts to scrutinize the evidence. The closer he looks at his film the more ambiguous it becomes and at the end he, and the audience, is left wondering whether he saw anything at all.
The true brilliance of the movie lies in the fact the Antonioni never explicitly gives any answers to the questions posed throughout the film. Instead he leaves it up to the viewers to decide for themselves. In so doing he allows the audience to impose their reality onto the movie, instead of the director imposing his reality onto the viewer. Was any of it real or merely a far fetched fantasy? You be the judge.
On it's surface the movie is almost a detective story or murder mystery, but these waters run far deeper. As I mentioned above in "Blow-Up" Michelangelo Antonioni explores the nature of reality. When does something have meaning? Can you will something into existence? And if something loses it's meaning, can it then cease to exist altogether? Definitely a movie that demands multiple viewings, and one that is well worth the effort.
The questions posed have as much relevance today as they had in 1966, and the story is told in a highly entertaining and clever way. Granted this is not a movie for everyone, much like Mulholland Drive and Barton Fink are not for everyone, but if you have an open mind the I'll highly recommend this movie.