MovieChat Forums > 8½ (1963) Discussion > Question Regarding a Dream transition

Question Regarding a Dream transition

posted 11 years ago by SakowskyBrothers
2 replies | jump to latest

I want to figure out if my statement is correct and see some opinions here on the board. I've written this for an essay:

Other times the separation between the dream world and the diegetic reality are less distinguishable for example there is a moment later in the film where Guido and his wife (Luisa) go to sleep after an argument. Fellini then cuts to action mid-day, a typical Hollywood ellipses. It isn’t until the shift in character behavior (Luisa embracing Claudia, Guido’s mistress) and the pace in Nino Rota’s famous melody that we realize that Fellini had not cut to action mid-day but rather to action mid-dream.

Now that I look at it, it may have actually been a cut to mid day and then a cut to a day dream mid scene, but then it may just be a dream altogether?

Any thoughts?

[–] shudhslang 11 years ago

there are so many scenes in the movie where you could play around trying to figure out which was reality and which was dream. i realized the danger my viewing experience might be put to if i indulged in that exercise, of constantly trying to figure which is what; that i dumped all such efforts altogether and just sat back relaxed and enjoyed the movie and merely took part in the visual pleasure of enjoying the mischievous portrayal of someone's imagination.

[–] Ariodant 11 years ago

The scene where they are three (Guido, Luisa & Rossella) having a drink is real.
Then the mistress appears, Luisa becomes jealous, Guido excuses himself, Rossella talks about horoscope (still reality).
Then Luisa aproaches the mistress, flatters her and they both start dancing (already daydreaming).
You can see Guido with his feet on the table, in a much cooler position than in real life (in his dream, he's the master). Rossella has also disappeared, if I am right.

in absentia