FEDERICO FELLINI

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BB.5. 

Original title:  La Voce Della Luna

Italy/France, 1990.  Cecchi Gori Group Tiger Cinematografica, Films A2, La Sept Cinema, Cinemax, Rai 1.  Screenplay by Federico Fellini, Ermanno Cavazzoni, Tullio Pinelli.  Cinematography by Tonino Delli Colli.  Produced by Mario Cecchi Gori, Vittorio Cecchi Gori.  Music by Nicola Piovani.  Production Design by Dante Ferretti.  Costume Design by Maurizio Millenotti.  Film Editing by Nino Baragli.  

Alas, the brilliant career of director Federico Fellini didn’t end on such a high note. This exasperating, muddled film will only be of interest to his most ardent admirers, but even they won’t be too thrilled. Roberto Benigni plays a wanderer roaming the Italian landscape lost in fascination with the moon above, observing its effect on people and in particular becoming fascinated with a beautiful woman whose physiognomy reminds him of the gorgeous orb itself. Poetic and political, the film often indulges too much in Fellini’s obsession with modern media and the downfall of Italian culture (a theme which covered most films of his final decade).  The cinematography is gorgeous, as is the musical score, but the story rambles and eventually you’ll just want to give up.