The story of a young woman from the country who moves to Rome to try to become a movie star, but encounters a string of men who use and deceive her. The strange thing is, she seems nonplussed and rather buoyant about it, and her character seems as aimless and meandering as the way director Antonio Pietrangeli tells the story. The scenes seem like disconnected snippets, some of which go on too long, which makes for a tough watch, especially in the first half.
With that said, there are moments of brilliance here. The woman (Stefania Sandrelli) goes home to her impoverished, bitter parents, and we get a brutal glimpse of the foundations of her psyche. Later she attends a party where we see an actor who's made it in the business humiliate another who hasn't, in what was the most powerful scene for me. The woman herself also finds herself humiliated in front of friends after an interview with her is edited to make her look ridiculous, then played at the movie theater. I liked the look and feel of the film as well, with the black and white cinematography and Pietrangeli's flair showing in scenes like those with 360 degree spins, or the woman simply driving around the city and listening to love songs.
Unfortunately there were just not enough of these moments to recommend or even truly like the film. It felt a little like the flipside of 'La Dolce Vita,' with the focus here on those who haven't made it big, but similarly too circuitous in its storytelling, and ultimately not all that pleasant to watch. The ending was ridiculously predictable and abrupt as well, and I wish it hadn't been so simple. Sandrelli and seeing bits of Italy in the mid-1960's made it not a complete waste, but it's not one I'd reach for again.
With that said, there are moments of brilliance here. The woman (Stefania Sandrelli) goes home to her impoverished, bitter parents, and we get a brutal glimpse of the foundations of her psyche. Later she attends a party where we see an actor who's made it in the business humiliate another who hasn't, in what was the most powerful scene for me. The woman herself also finds herself humiliated in front of friends after an interview with her is edited to make her look ridiculous, then played at the movie theater. I liked the look and feel of the film as well, with the black and white cinematography and Pietrangeli's flair showing in scenes like those with 360 degree spins, or the woman simply driving around the city and listening to love songs.
Unfortunately there were just not enough of these moments to recommend or even truly like the film. It felt a little like the flipside of 'La Dolce Vita,' with the focus here on those who haven't made it big, but similarly too circuitous in its storytelling, and ultimately not all that pleasant to watch. The ending was ridiculously predictable and abrupt as well, and I wish it hadn't been so simple. Sandrelli and seeing bits of Italy in the mid-1960's made it not a complete waste, but it's not one I'd reach for again.