Why You Need to Experience Fellini’s La Dolce Vita

Marcello Mastroianni and Anita Ekberg on La Dolce Vita

Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita, from 1960, is more than just a movie; it’s an experience, a plunge into a world that’s both glamorous and hollow. The film follows Marcello, played with a perfect blend of charm and cynicism by Marcello Mastroianni, as he drifts through Rome’s high society. He’s a journalist, always on the lookout for the next scandal, the next big story, but he seems to be searching for something deeper too. What is that something? Well, that’s the question that makes this picture so compelling. It’s a pretty open question, with the answer left up to the person watching. It seems like Marcello is looking for meaning in a world that seems to have none, a timeless theme that makes the movie feel just as important now as it did upon release.

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Marcello Mastroianni, the King of Cool.
Marcello Mastroianni, the King of Cool.

What stands out is the way Fellini creates this feeling of being lost in the spectacle. The parties are lavish, the locations are opulent, but there’s always this sense that it’s all surface-level. The iconic Trevi Fountain scene with Anita Ekberg is gorgeous, sure, but it also feels like this fleeting moment of beauty in a sea of empty moments. The film is episodic, almost like a collection of vignettes, and that gives it this dreamy, almost surreal quality. The characters we meet are unforgettable, from the paparazzi to the jaded intellectuals. They all contribute to this feeling of a world that’s just a little bit off-kilter. The famous line “la dolce vita” literally translates to “the sweet life,” and it’s dripping with irony. There’s nothing particularly sweet about it.

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The black-and-white cinematography is just stunning, creating these beautiful contrasts and making Rome feel both ancient and modern at the same time. This really is a movie that you can just sit back and let wash over you, like an abstract piece of art. The pacing is slow, deliberate, and while it might not be for everyone, it’s all part of the experience. It’s a movie that stays with you long after the credits roll, prompting you to think about the things that matter, and also the things that don’t.

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La Dolce Vita isn’t just a movie about Rome in the 60s; it’s a portrait of humanity’s search for something real in a world full of distractions. This picture is so rich with themes, that it is worth more than one watch. Each time you do you will discover something new. This is a classic for a reason, and a fantastic piece of cinematic history.

 

Head of film reviews at The Viewers Guide with an erudite, insightful, slightly sardonic, deep appreciation for classic cinema. Has a habit of quoting obscure lines from old films in everyday conversation. He keeps a meticulously organized film logbook. He's a bit of a tea snob.