La Dolce Vita (1960)

dir. Federico Fellini
writ. Federico Fellini, Ennio Flaiano, & Tullio Pinelli (story and screenplay), Brunello Rondi (contributing writer)
feat. Marcello Mastroianni, Anita Ekberg, Anouk Aimée, Yvonne Furneaux, Magali Noel, Alain Cuny, Annibale Ninchi

From the opening of La Dolce Vita, Marcello Rubini (Mastroainni) chases god, seeking ascencion at every turn. In an age of easy fame, where faith is easily doubted, the earnest religious variety most of all, Marcello manages to hang on to a hint of what he thinks really matters, idolizing a man he sees as a successful writer, philosopher and family man, clinging to the dream of emulating him. But Marcello lacks the conviction, or perhaps the inspiration to rise above his position as a tabloid reporter, too easily tempted to bask in the reflected glory of celebrity actress, Sylvia (Ekberg) or to hop into bed with similarly jaded society gal, Maddalena (Aimée).

One never discovers exactly why Marcello can't rouse himself to change his life, whether he is lazy, too easily distracted or simply fails to find concrete answers to his ambiguous, yearning questions. In a beautiful sequence and arguably the most poignant of the film, he comes closest to voicing these unspoken questions while watching his father, lively and sociable, more amiable and entertaining than himself, over the course of a night on the town. His father's ease, stamina and youthful exuberance are unsettling to Marcello, as is the shocking turn the night takes when something runs out on the older man, either his health or his own conviction, one can't be sure. This paired with the loss of his idol is enough to leave Marcello stranded, without meaningful guides or trustworthy companions.

Again, there is no telling the real reason behind Marcello's ultimate descent, but he almost seems determined to be his most loathesome, committing to the empty life of cheap thrills after all, joining the fray that he once documented, wishing to forget he ever had higher hopes at all. Naturally, he won't get that lucky.