atlasmb
In "Satyricon", Fellini fills the screen with bodies and colors. Some describe this as "visual splendor", but the visual elements of this film are less than satisfying.This unconventional film seems to be dedicated to subversion or shock, perhaps for its own sake. But it lacks emotion, so as art, it is a shallow exercise. Art without emotional content is merely a collection of images.The scenes in "Satyricon" feel like fragments of dreams. Perhaps it was therapeutic for Fellini, but for the rest of us, it is merely a curiosity. Its concentration on images of religion, mysticism, and superstition makes it more irrelevant. The film's portrayal of the grotesque and absurd feels self-important and self-indulgent. In many ways, "Satyricon" is amateurish. The acting is bad. Actors laugh throughout the film for no apparent reason. The makeup is theatrical. The action and dialogue is disjointed. Even the English translation is horrible and unreliable, as if written by a first year student of English who is distracted.At one point in the film, a character says "playing a joke on a foreigner" is great fun. What fun Fellini may have had, laughing at the viewers who visited the strange world of "Satyricon".
ksf-2
My favorite chapter was the "fire from her loins" , right near the end. The giant fish walking along the river banks was pretty cool too. The Satyricon by Fellini is a mix of history ( based on Petronius' fragmented, partial work) and an artistic, impressionist work. Lots of topless women running, jumping, standing, walking. Our hero Encolpio, (Martin Potter, a Brit) tells his young lover to choose between him and Ascilto, and when he does, Encolpio sets off on a series of adventures. Very artsy, wacky, silly make-up. Through-out the story, Encoplio runs into both the young lover and Ascilto (Hiram Keller, American, died quite young.), as well as casts of thousands in his adventures. This seems to be a whole lot of Roman history, mixed in with free interpretation by Fellini. Will definitely have to watch this one with the "commentary" turned on next time; may give some insight as to what's really going on. Make up a big bowl of popcorn, because this is over two hours, and covers a lot of ground. Capucine, the French actress is in here... she was big in Hollywood in the 1960s. Fellini was nominated for an Oscar twelve times, and finally won an achievement award in 1993, which also happens to be the year he died. Quite entertaining, if you have the patience. The fact that things are not always spelled out, and it IS artsy-fartsy, will turn off a lot of people.
grantss
A bit more coherent that the average Fellini movie. Not that it says much.Starts interestingly enough. For a while I thought the movie might actually have a decent plot. For a brief moment it almost seemed Shakespearean. Then it fell apart.It degenerated into a series of random events, and parallel "stories" (for lack of a better word).So, while having more of a plot than most Fellini movies, this is all very relative.
TheLittleSongbird
I admire Federico Fellini and what films so far I've seen of his. While not a bad film at all, of the 8 films I've seen(La Dolce Vita, 8 1/2, Amarcord, La Strada, Nights of Cabiria, Roma, Casanova and Satyricon), Satyricon is my least favourite. I did find the story disjointed, some scenes are fine but others are not sure what tone it wants to be or I wasn't sure what they were trying to do. While the characters are not as detached to the audience in the way the titular character from Casanova is, whereas I identified with the leads of La Strada and especially Nights of Cabiria the characters were never really developed enough to make me care properly. Pacing has rarely, if ever, been an issue in Fellini films, I am well aware that his pacing is largely deliberate, but with a story and characters that I was indifferent to on the most part I will admit that my interest did waver. Also, the parts dealing with sexual immaturity were really quite bizarre to put it politely. However, Satyricon is stunning visually with striking roman garb and costumes beautifully photographed, and Fellini's direction while not as nostalgic as personal as some of his other films is accomplished. The score positively sweeps and accompanies the film very well, while the acting from especially the two leads is very good. Overall, there will be people who admire this film and others who'll find it self-indulgent and perhaps cold. Coming from someone who still isn't sure what she makes of Satyricon, I can understand both sides. I am glad I watched it, however I can't see myself watching it again. 6/10 Bethany Cox
AD
