Sam's Blog - The Great Beauty

Jep Gambardella did not come to the city of Rome to get lost in the high life… he came to become its king. A journalist whose name was first brought to attention years earlier with a single novel he wrote (which everyone continues to ask if he will follow up), he revels in the extravagant and hedonistic lifestyle, making his way to the top of the social ladder through the guise of power. And he really does have it down to an art, until a brush with his past throws a kink in his plans.

In a film very reminiscent of Fellini’s work, complete with dreamlike imagery and fantastic crowds of burlesque characters, we see a city of people all with the same struggle: to remain under the guise. Tony Servillo gives a charming performance, navigating us through all the flash and tricks as his character’s perspective begins to shift, giving us a refreshing and captivating view of the life of Rome.

At a whopping 2 and a half hours, it is worth every minute… definitely check this film out on your next visit to the Midtown Cinema!

-SAM