S
C
E
N
T

• S: The film is very metaphorical, so it gets away with a lot of things that wouldn't make sense with a more literal, traditional narrative. However, a very peculiar priest and a bizarre man-child do make for some odd moments in the film.
• C: The sets and locations are magnificent. Casting is perfect and critical to the film's success; the movie only works because Parthenope is as attractive as she is. Framing and lighting are pristine, with so many excellent shots of note. However, some of the editing feels a bit too fast, particularly at the beginning. There are shots that are very long and very effective, but some shots that are too short that they break up the flow.
• E: The use of music, the stunning main character, brilliant costuming, and beautiful sets all blend excellently to give this film a very potent feeling. However, a few scenes are too short, in particular an accusatory interaction between a mother and daughter that ends very abruptly and is never brought up again is distracting. The ending also feels a bit unnecessary, dragging the film a bit longer than it needed to be.
• N: The dialogue does an excellent job of informing you early on that there is more to the film that what is being told. There's a pretty good blend of reality and metaphor, but the lack of interactions with the mother during most of the film feels strange and the ending feels like a recap of the film and irrelevant to the rest of the story. Also, there is a bit too much of the film spent dwelling on Parthenope's beauty, particularly at the beginning.
• T: The film received all five possible bonus points: one for brilliant casting, particularly of Parthenope, one for a haunting shot of two scared lovers shrouded in white, one for the regular shots staring directly at the camera which definitely help enhance the non-literal feel of the film, one for a shot of Parthenope alone on a beach towel, and one for the mystical sets and locations.

This film really has something. It reminds me of other great non-literal films like L'Avventura and Stalker. However, I'm not sure this film works as well for most audiences, or particularly any audience that isn't attracted to women. I think the viewer's attraction to Parthenope drastically impacts how the film would be viewed, which probably makes me biased in this department.

Number of Watches: 1