Parthenope (2024)

"It is impossible to be happy in the most beautiful place in the world."

A disarmingly beautiful woman, named after the city of Naples, charms every man she comes across, as she moves adrift through life, becoming aloof to its wonder and beauty. Director Paolo Sorrentino (The Great Beauty, Youth) seems to have a particular affinity for this subject, which I cannot blame him for. Beauty permeates every frame of this film. This movie, much like its heroine, is beautiful and vapid. Sometimes that's just enough to squeak by, but the result is merely skin deep.

2 definitions of anthropology out of 5

LA GRANDE BELLEZZA [2013]

aka The Great Beauty

Director Paolo Sorrentino crafts a piece of great elegance, cynicism, wonder and thoughtfulness in the Italian art-film La Grande Bellezza.  

It's about an ageing socialite who realizes he's wasted his life schmoozing with the elite & rich of Rome when there's something far more important right in front of his face.  It's an interesting contrast of his age and ancient Rome colliding with the youthful rich and loud party music scattered throughout the film, violating the senses.  This great beauty owes it's fascinating camera work & dizzying techniques to the works of Federico Fellini but is by no means a direct imitation and stands out on it's own as a gorgeous piece of cinema.  

Just 5 more minutes out of 5