Didn't enjoy this movie at all - 8½ (1963) Discussion

[–] SteveMoonlightAllaby 11 years ago

I would suggest giving it another try. You might like it more a second time. I thought it was interesting and unusual. The direction was perfect and the performances were brilliant. I liked the style and feel of the movie. Also the use of time, flashbacks and dream sequences were fascinating.

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[–] curseyourhouse 10 years ago

I like the style and feel of the movie as well but the story and moivations are just so.....dull.

Style over substance perhaps?

But like you said the second viewing may change my opinion. I will give it another shot but man it's hard to get through a movie when you don't care about whats happening inside of it.

Oh and yes, the cinematography is amazing!

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[–] Disardor 10 years ago

Why don't you read any number of the illuminating critical essays, glowing reviews or in-depth analyses of the film freely available on the internet instead of asking a question like this? There are dozens of professional film critics and scholars who have already written about the film's themes and qualities far more eloquently than anyone on IMDb is going to be able to.

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[–] SloppyJ30 9 years ago

This is a question I always have to ask whenever any of these "why do the critics like this so much?" threads pop up. Evidently the people asking the question are aware of the internet's existence, yet haven't figured out that they could use it to actually read something of substance to answer their question.

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I have meddled with the primal forces of nature and I will atone.

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[–] KingCobra686 9 years ago

Reading a review by a critic is a one way conversation. Discussing a movie on this forum is a interactive two way conversation. They are much different ways to figure out a movie.

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[–] SloppyJ30 9 years ago

I guess I just want to see a little effort, you know? I see these types of threads frequently on the more active boards for newer movies, and it often smacks of laziness. If the desire is for a spirited discussion among film fans, great. If that's the goal, I for one would probably lead with more than "Why is this esteemed?" or "Why do critics like this?" which are both broad questions that can generally be answered with a few clicks and a little reading.

At that point one would be better equipped to ask more specific questions or cast a dissenting vote with a bit of substance to back it up.

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I have meddled with the primal forces of nature and I will atone.

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[–] doowopfan 10 years ago

I just saw it in the theater on Wednesday. All I've ever heard was how fantastic it is. You're right, VERY boring. I'll say this, it LOOKED good. Meaning the style and camera. I really dug the cinematography and the women all were gorgeous. But the movie straight up sucked. Very boring. But like I said, I loved the style and camerawork.

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I did sixty in five minutes once...

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[–] fanaticita 10 years ago

I agree. But with all due respect it was very Fellini.

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[–] ClassicAndForeignFilmLover 10 years ago

I enjoyed reading these sincere opinions.

I only saw the film once sometime ago and I do not doubt its artistic value and place in world cinema but I must be honest that even though I was impressed by the set decoration and its artistic qualities, it did not entertain me from a single and first watch likewise Fellini's "La Dolce Vita."

I think that a film can have wonderful artistic qualities and profound meaning and symbolism but it the story fails in touching the audience heart and emotions and does not manage to keep them interested and focused from a first view, effortless, then, something is missing in the overall quality of the film.

Having said this, I do intend to watch this film again but without reading reviews. I would like to give a second chance to my own senses and judgment without being influenced by the opinion of the critics.

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[–] DeplorableAlexRomer 10 years ago

I recently saw this for the first time and loved it. There's the style, cinematography, performances, etc. Other, more "film buff" types, can talk about that in more detail than I can. But on a more surface level...it's just really funny. The humor is great. The harem scene is hilarious.

I also thought it was very original and even poignant...I got very invested in Guido and his...mostly self created...problems.

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[–] CoSMiGoNoN 10 years ago

Like somebody already remarked, "style over substance": Beautifully shot, boring story. I gave it a 3/10.

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[–] Versac 9 years ago

To paraphrase Godard, style is just the outside of substance & substance the inside of style. Can't be separated.

What's the story 8½ is telling, anyway? Basically, our guy Guido is having a midlife crisis. It's a simple story; all the best ones are. Simplicity isn't inherently boring. 8½ tells this simple story in a way that only a film could, as a showcase for the medium of film itself. (How it goes about this has been exhaustively discussed here &, mostly, elsewhere.) This intrinsic filmness is what I think leads the more undiscerning viewer to deem 8½ "boring," when the details of the plot are far from the point. It couldn't work as a novel, or stage production, or a comic, as a story you heard from your friend, or whatever. If you're only in the mood for a story, there are other means. If you really want to see what film (& only film) can do, here it is.

The style & the substance of 8½ are the same thing. That's what makes it a masterpiece.

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[–] jrl0726 10 years ago

It took me three tries to appreciate this masterwork. The 3rd time I began to watch it on Fellini's terms. Try it at least a couple of more times and just relax to give the characters (all superbly portrayed) and atmosphere of the film a chance to "carry" you into the experience. Fellini presents each scene as if it is a "painting on a long wall". What makes Fellini so good is his unique and personal style of film making and one has to allow for that before viewing. Don't get too involved in his reputation for symbolism and just at first "take in" the film for what you see.

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[–] aaahmemories 10 years ago

It's always interesting to see how many shallow people can't grasp the concept of originality. The term refers to doing something that nobody else has done. If you come to this film expecting it to be like all the others you've watched, naturally you're going to be "bored." If you come to it open to something utterly unique, you'll be rewarded past any possible expectation.

That's why it's a masterwork. And that's why there are precious few with the chops to grasp it. Original thinking is not prized in a society dedicated to the tried and true.

Religion is like a rocking chair -- a lot of work to get nowhere.

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[–] TheMociety 10 years ago

Calling people "shallow" just because they didn't like it is immature. I've watched several of Fellini's films and am a huge fan of Italian cinema, but this is not one that I like to revisit often.

Not a big deal.

If you're not taking any steps forward, you're not moving at all.

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[–] PuddinTaine 8 years ago

I'm a huge fan of originality and being taken to places I've never been before. The problem with your premise is that 8 1/2 isn't really all that unique, but I can understand how somebody not well-versed in cinema would think it is. I for one didn't like the film at all.

How do you like them apples?

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[–] this_seat_taken 9 years ago

No mention of music in the thread. Got tin ears?

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[–] Nelson4815 9 years ago

To the people who say it is boring because it didn't have a straight storyline: That's what makes the film interesting. Things are being shown that can't be put in story form.

Imagine if all movies had to tell a conventional story. Now that would be a boring prospect.

That being said though, I did like La Dolce Vita better than this one, after a first viewing. Although 8 1/2 better merits a second viewing.

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[–] voided-1 9 years ago

I watched 8 1/2 a few years ago and couldn't understand why I didn't engage with such an accomplished film. I just viewed it for a second time....and still didn't feel engaged with it. I do think it is masterly and would give it 10/10 as a technically great piece of film making. Unfortunately, despite all the great imagery, humour, and panache.....I just don't particularly like it...but I give it 7/10 because I admire it hugely.

Just forget you ever saw it. It's better that way.

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