Ginger & Fred (B or 3/4 stars)
Famed Italian writer/director Federico Fellini (La Strada, 8 1/2, La Dolce Vita, Juliet of the Spirits) lampoons the world of television in 'Ginger & Fred'; a sweet, heartwarming satire starring Giulietta Masina & Marcello Mastroianni as Amelia & Pippo, a one-time song-&-dance team from before WWII in the 1930s. Having risen to stardom with a nightclub dancing act as an homage to the Hollywood duo of Ginger Rogers & Fred Astaire (where they'd hoped to become the Fred & Ginger of Italy), Amelia & Pippo parted company to pursue separate lives. Neither were very successful in their other endeavors. And so, when after many long years a widowed Amelia is finally offered a guest-star appearance on a vulgar television variety show in decaying Rome, she figures she has nothing to lose.
Also a part of this variety show is a lineup of Fellini-esque sideshow freaks. They include a friendly transvestite who visits men in prisons, a plastic surgery pro, an extraterrestrial lover {yes, you read that correctly}, a priest with miraculous powers, a troupe of dancing midgets, & a cow with 15(!) teats. Looking to reprise her ballroom dance act, Amelia seeks out her former partner, Pippo, who may have been Astaire-like back in the day, but now is a very different story. He's been troubled with mental illness. He's an anarchist. He's crabby. And he's unpredictable. Time has take its toll on Amelia & Pippo's bodies & souls, but maybe ... just maybe ... with their iconic "Cheek to Cheek" number, they can find the magic they once exhibited so well.
Fellini gives us a potent criticism of crass television (as a wasteland), while also providing a voyeuristic behind-the-scenes look at the preparations for an airing of this type of variety show; which pokes fun at the absurdity of human beings craving to see the oddities of life {in today's age, think Jackass, Fear Factor, most Reality Shows}. And really, who loves to show the oddities of life more than Fellini? This film also boasts a beautifully affecting performance from Giulietta Masina. I've seen her in 3 or 4 films now & she just has that "something" that makes you stand at attention when she's onscreen. She's not a great beauty, but there's something about her eyes as well as her innate humanity that shines through. Marcello Mastroianni is great, as well. Their final scene at a train station nearly brought tears to my eyes; and not because it blasts sentiment off the screen, but because the emotion we feel is subtle, quiet, & feels 'real'.
Now, I don't think 'Ginger & Fred' is a bonafide masterpiece. Like some of Fellini's other works, the plot lacks some substance & meanders its way to the finale. But I still think this is a wonderful, strange little movie with a sense of warmth & nostalgia for the 'old days'. I enjoyed the interesting premise, rich visual style, Dante Ferretti's unique production design (a huge hanging pig strung up in fairy lights), Danilo Donati's costumes, bizarre characters, & the lovely work by the actors. As a side note: the real Ginger Rogers sued the distributors of 'Ginger & Fred' for "defamation of character", which I think reflects poorly on the star -- a shame, really.
Also a part of this variety show is a lineup of Fellini-esque sideshow freaks. They include a friendly transvestite who visits men in prisons, a plastic surgery pro, an extraterrestrial lover {yes, you read that correctly}, a priest with miraculous powers, a troupe of dancing midgets, & a cow with 15(!) teats. Looking to reprise her ballroom dance act, Amelia seeks out her former partner, Pippo, who may have been Astaire-like back in the day, but now is a very different story. He's been troubled with mental illness. He's an anarchist. He's crabby. And he's unpredictable. Time has take its toll on Amelia & Pippo's bodies & souls, but maybe ... just maybe ... with their iconic "Cheek to Cheek" number, they can find the magic they once exhibited so well.
Fellini gives us a potent criticism of crass television (as a wasteland), while also providing a voyeuristic behind-the-scenes look at the preparations for an airing of this type of variety show; which pokes fun at the absurdity of human beings craving to see the oddities of life {in today's age, think Jackass, Fear Factor, most Reality Shows}. And really, who loves to show the oddities of life more than Fellini? This film also boasts a beautifully affecting performance from Giulietta Masina. I've seen her in 3 or 4 films now & she just has that "something" that makes you stand at attention when she's onscreen. She's not a great beauty, but there's something about her eyes as well as her innate humanity that shines through. Marcello Mastroianni is great, as well. Their final scene at a train station nearly brought tears to my eyes; and not because it blasts sentiment off the screen, but because the emotion we feel is subtle, quiet, & feels 'real'.
Now, I don't think 'Ginger & Fred' is a bonafide masterpiece. Like some of Fellini's other works, the plot lacks some substance & meanders its way to the finale. But I still think this is a wonderful, strange little movie with a sense of warmth & nostalgia for the 'old days'. I enjoyed the interesting premise, rich visual style, Dante Ferretti's unique production design (a huge hanging pig strung up in fairy lights), Danilo Donati's costumes, bizarre characters, & the lovely work by the actors. As a side note: the real Ginger Rogers sued the distributors of 'Ginger & Fred' for "defamation of character", which I think reflects poorly on the star -- a shame, really.