I Vitelloni

All Italian men are babies! At least this is the message I percieved from Fellini's I Vitelloni. Throughout the film, the five male characters are portrayed in a manner that best shows their childish identities. Fausto, just learning of his new duties as a store clerk, reveals signs of frusteration and fear as his father-in-law leaves him with his new boss, a scene not much unlike that of a 5 year old leaving his/her mother on the first day of pre-school. Furthermore, Fellini also uses Fausto's relationship with his father to show the truly childish nature of this "spiritual leader". Disappointed in his son's lack of maturation, Fausto's father beats his son with a belt in an attempt to punish him for his infidelities and convert him into a man of integrity. Does this method work? The audience, given a closer look at the life of Fausto, is led to believe that, while the beating may be justified, will most likely not work. Time after time, Fausto and his friends swear redemption, however, time and time again, they all fall. Leopoldo fails due to his fear of success, Alberto; in his inablity to achieve healthy relationships with his mother and sister, and Fausto's inability to devote himself to his wife and child. However, the curse of Fausto and his friends is not that of failed fantasies, the curse of most Fellini characters, but instead, each other. The male character's inablity to leave the childish group is the cause for their cowardice in living better lives. Alas, Fellini, as he has done with The White Sheik and Variety Lights, worships his character's curses and bases his film's entire plot on the irony and comedy in which these impercations provide.
A scene I believe to be worth noting was that which took place at the beach. Alberto, taking the role of leader in the absence of Fausto, leads the group in the monontony of a winter-kissed beach. I felt as if I could actually feel the sadness in the boredom of these men's lives. Most certaintly a scene worth watching again!

The White Sheik

I found this movie to be fairly hilarious. In my opinion, slapstick humor is utilized by Fellini in order to portray the stupidity of his character's fantasies. Due to the lack of an emotional connection between viewers and the film's characters, the audience is able to enjoy cheesy one-liners, such as "you are my White Sheik" and "I am innocent and pure" without betraying any notion of character intelligence. What I find most interesting in this film is the dream-like mis-en-scene Fellini captures. The White Sheik, swinging on two palm trees, makes for a feeling of fantasy. However, this fantasy is soon destroyed. At the exact same moment the sheik jumps from his "carefree dream swing", the audience is informed of the ego and vulgarity of this "handsome hero", causing viewers to realize that Wanda's fantasy, along with her taste in men, is ignorant. I believe it is at this point in the film that all can truly enjoy the comical side of Fellini, for when one realizes the niave lust of Wanda, he/she is able to drop all emotional regard for the character's situation and look to be simply entertained.

This is a great film, one which I will watch many more times.

Variety Lights

The film Variety Lights was the first film by Fellini that I have seen. Despite his roots in cartoons, Fellini seemed as if comical slapstick humor was of little importance in this film. Characters did present some moments of humor, however, my enjoyment of the film was felt via reality. Variety Lights, along with The White Sheik, spontaneous moments of hilarity could be found not in forward jokes, but in the character's inner conflicts with personal fantasies and reality. Checco, obviously deeply interested in the leggy Liliana, proves to be a fairly comical character by way of Fellini's portrayal of Checco's stupidity. Lost in a fantasy of lust for Liliana and fame, Checco leaves his faithful fiance in order to pursue his dream of a meaningful relationship with Liliana and celebrity. However, the audience is shown that Checco's fantasy is niave. Liliana's character performs no action that proves her sincerity of feelings towards Checco. In fact, Liliana is clearly portrayed as a tease, interested only in her claim to stardom, rather than love. Furthermore, it is clear that Checco will not successfully fulfill his dream of fame due to Fellini's portrayal of Checco's "act", which proves to be no more than an amateur stage performance of silliness. It was through Checco's clash of fantasy with reality that made for the comical moments in the film. It is in this fact that I find Fellini's genius. Not only did Fellini use the failure of a person's dreams to make comical situations, but he did so in a manner that was subtle. While watching this movie, I had no clue as to the point of the plot. However, after reflection and analysis, Fellini proves that fantasy, no matter how niave, always seem to be pure in nature to the beholder of the dream. However, it is in nature's dealing with fantasy that makes for humor in life. Overall, not too shabby of a movie!