8½ (1963)
Marcello Mastroianni: Guido Anselmi
Photos
Quotes
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Claudia : I don't understand. He meets a girl that can give him a new life and he pushes her away?
Guido : Because he no longer believes in it.
Claudia : Because he doesn't know how to love.
Guido : Because it isn't true that a woman can change a man.
Claudia : Because he doesn't know how to love.
Guido : And above all because I don't feel like telling another pile of lies.
Claudia : Because he doesn't know how to love.
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Guido : My Dears... Happiness consists of being able to tell the truth without hurting anyone.
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Guido : I thought my ideas were so clear. I wanted to make an honest film. No lies whatsoever. I thought I had something so simple to say. Something useful to everybody. A film to help bury forever all the dead things we carry around inside. Instead, it's me who lacks the courage to bury anything at all. Now I'm utterly confused, with this tower on my hands. I wonder why things turned out this way. Where did I lose my way? I really have nothing to say, but I want to say it anyway. Why don't those spirits of yours come to my aid? You always said they had lots of messages for me. Let them get to work.
Rossella : I've already told you: your attitude is all wrong. You're curious in a childish way. You want too many guarantees.
Guido : Fine, but what do they say?
Rossella : The same as always. They're very reasonable. They know you very well.
Guido : Well then?
Rossella : They say you're free, but you have to choose. And you don't have much time. You have to hurry.
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Guido : What is this sudden happiness that makes me tremble, giving me strength, life? Forgive me, sweet creatures. I hadn't understood, I didn't know. It's so natural accepting you, loving you. And so simple. Luisa, I feel I've been freed. Everything seems so good, so meaningful. Everything is true. I wish I could explain. But I didn't know how to. So. Everything is confused again, as it was before. But this confusion is... me. Not as I'd like to be, but as I am. I'm not afraid anymore of telling the truth, of the things I don't know, what I'm looking for and haven't found. This is the only way I can feel alive and I can look into your faithful eyes without shame. Life is a celebration. Let's live it together! This is all I can say Luisa, to you or the others. Accept me for what I am, if you want me. It's the only way we might be able to find each other.
Luisa Anselmi : I don't know if what you said to me is right. But I can try if you help me.
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Guido : All the confusion of my life... has been a reflection of myself! Myself as I am, not as I'd like to be.
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Guido : Could you walk out on everything and start all over again? Could you choose one single thing, and be faithful to it? Could you make it the one thing that gives your life meaning... just because you believe in it? Could you do that?"
Claudia : I don't know... could you?"
Guido : No, the character I'm thinking of couldn't. He wants to possess and devour everything. He can't pass anything up. He's afraid he'll miss something. He's drained.
Claudia : That's how the film ends?
Guido : No, that's how it begins. Then he meets a girl at the springs. She gives him water to heal him. She's beautiful... young, yet ancient... child, yet already a woman... authentic, complete. It's obvious that she could be his salvation.
[Looks over at Claudia]
Guido : You'll wear white... with long hair, just as you do now.
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Guido : Accept me as I am. Only then can we discover each other.
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Guido : The truth is: I do not know... I seek... I have not yet found. Only with this in mind can I feel alive and look at you without shame.
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Guido : I really have nothing to say, but I want to say it anyway.
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Guido : Enough of symbolism and these escapist themes of purity and innocence.
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[last lines]
Guido : [while cueing/directing the circus act celebrating his life and all of the people in it] Just a minute. I'll give you the go-ahead... Now. Go to the curtain. Draw it. Everyone come down. Talk to each other...
[endearingly calls out]
Guido : Mother.
Carla : Sgulp! I did understand what you wanted to say, you know. That you can't do without us. At what time will you call me tomorrow?
Guido : Fine, fine. Now join the line! Maurice! Come, quickly! Stop fooling around. Everybody hold hands! Spread out! All together. Maestro!
Il partner della telepata : Let's all hold hands!
[everyone - including Guido and Luisa - joyously jogs in a line, the clown band makes its last appearance, and this final scene fades out to the credits]
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Guido : You came just in time. Why are you smiling? Suppose I told you... Claudia.
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Guido : You mean you like stories where nothing happens too?
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Guido : A crisis of inspiration? What if it's not just temporary, my dear friend? What if it's the final downfall of a big fat no-talent imposter?
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Guido : Why are you shouting, you crazy old man?
