La Dolce Vita

Almost anybody with a love for cinema is familiar with the name Fellini. It is a name associated with the craft of motion picture production. Federico Fellini is one of those rare directors that consistently produced movies of elevated caliber. And "La Dolce Vita" may be the cherry on that proverbial sundae. A lengthy yet engrossing film that examines the interactions of a young celebrity writer in Rome during the late 1950s. Marcello (Macello Mastroianni) lives an empty life among the rich and famous whom frequent the clubs of Via Veneto. While he grovels at the heels of high society, grabbing at the crumbs that fall to his feet, Marcello's eyes occasionally sparkle with passion, his true inspiration is in the novel he is destined to write.

But he is too easily distracted by the complexities of life and the profound, underscored theme that it may all be for nothing. Much of this miscommunication comes from the over-complex relationships he has fostered with three women. He has his scatterbrained lover, (Yvonne Furneaux) who uses the threat of suicide to get the attention of the absent Marcello. Then there is the beautiful and rich socialite, (Anouk Aimee) who will slum it with our hero, but in reality is unattainable due to that pesky restraint called class division. And then there is the ultimate temptress, the bombshell movie actress, (Anita Ekberg) who he chases all over late night Rome.

Life really is about missed opportunities, and the ability to slow down long enough to find them. Fellini is showing us that the emptiness in Marcello's life is by choice. And if you decide to rent "La Dolce Vita" give yourself the time to enjoy it. (It runs about three hours, but I feel it's worth every second.) It's a great film.