Ooh! I've scribbled down "Between Salt water and Holy Water" because that sounds interesting and I know next to nothing about Southern Italy.
And I agree that the ball scene is brilliant. The various scenes of Don Federico dancing with Angelica, to Don Federico looking at his tired face in the mirror to him being angry with the Northern officer are all so heartbreaking - and made even more poignant by him walking home alone at the end of the film, and disappearing into a dark alley.
Maybe only Visconti could have made this film, because of his own background, not so different from Tommasi di Lampedusa's?
I would like to think so, because there is something so sensitive and knowledgeable in the way Visconti handles the material. At any rate it is a great joy to watch when a good director meets good material, and the synergy of the two becomes something unique.
Did I tell you we saw the area where Tommasi di Lampedusa's palace had been in Palermo?
Now you have made me even more envious of your trip to Palermo. ;) And I like your idea about the loss being written into the novel. I haven't read the book, but after seeing the film I really want to. Not only does it sound like the sort of historical epic I like, but I'm also curious to see how it compares and hos it differs from the film.
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Date: 2009-04-24 05:38 pm (UTC)And I agree that the ball scene is brilliant. The various scenes of Don Federico dancing with Angelica, to Don Federico looking at his tired face in the mirror to him being angry with the Northern officer are all so heartbreaking - and made even more poignant by him walking home alone at the end of the film, and disappearing into a dark alley.
Maybe only Visconti could have made this film, because of his own background, not so different from Tommasi di Lampedusa's?
I would like to think so, because there is something so sensitive and knowledgeable in the way Visconti handles the material. At any rate it is a great joy to watch when a good director meets good material, and the synergy of the two becomes something unique.
Did I tell you we saw the area where Tommasi di Lampedusa's palace had been in Palermo?
Now you have made me even more envious of your trip to Palermo. ;) And I like your idea about the loss being written into the novel. I haven't read the book, but after seeing the film I really want to. Not only does it sound like the sort of historical epic I like, but I'm also curious to see how it compares and hos it differs from the film.