8½

8 1/2 (1963)
a film by Federico Fellini

This is the second time I watch 8 1/2 and as in the first time, it strikes as a movie that connects to me not through the feelings or the emotions of the characters but through the subconscious of the main character shown in the screen. Fellini is great master and in this film he manages to recreate in fluent fashion the dreamlike world of Guido a director facing a creative blockade.

Guido is a director blocked in the middle of an important project. He is sick and smokes too much. He is under the pressure of his producer. He stands the frequent attacks of a film critic. He handles the producing assistants. He endures a marital crisis, his lover's visit and the stars that he cast for the movie. Meanwhile, he is immerse in a subconscious world that brings him to his memories and dreams, and where the strong female figures set a story with an atmosphere full of desire and delirium.

This movie is brilliant in setting the turbulent atmosphere of the creative process, so full of memories and desires. It is amazing to see the fluidity with which Fellini shows so many aspects of this character with so much humor and rhythm and I'm sure he enjoyed putting in film the elements that were also part of his life as a director.

All the female cast is superb, although Anouk Aimee is in the role of the wife -her glasses are awesome-. I dunno if this movie could be interpreted as male-centric but I found it really enjoyable and creative in the development of all the female character, they are who ultimately define the role of this director who seems to drift in the world of his dreams and desires.

Guido is interpreted brilliantly by Marcello Martroianni. His role is elegant and fresh at the same time and delivers memorable moments. He can dance in the hallway, sound smart or simply look overwhelmed as his wife meets his lover, this role is superb. One shouldn't look for role model in cinema but I want to be this guy!

8 1/2 is brilliant and entertaining. This movie features a magnificent set characters, a great protagonist and interesting strong female characters. The images are beautiful and the music is amusing and memorable. But be aware, something this good can come so easily and it takes time to enter this world but is absolutely worth the effort.