Spontaneousfilm's notebook

THE PURSUIT OF ALIENATION

Michelangelo Antonioni: Il deserto rosso, Italy, 1964 with Monica Vitti, Richard Harris
Viewed on Blu-ray with English subtitles. Running time: 120 MIN.

Yes, yes, I felt compelled to view the praised release of BFI:s Blu-ray. Oh yes, I’m naturally talking of The Red Desert. In the exquisite wording of Gary “DVDBeaver” Tooze I concur: Antonioni’s imagery is even more mesmerizing on this new Blu-ray – I could have taken screen captures all day. Yes it is quite mesmerizing, a great release from BFI it is (now we’ll just have to wait for L’Avventura as well).

Protagonist Giuliana wanders in a bleak and sterile industrial landscape, a metaphor for the neurosis her mind is trapped in. An indifferent world in numb despair surrounds her and nobody seems to understand. In Michelangelo Antonioni’s first color feature, reoccurring themes of alienation and emotional isolation once again surface. Monica Vitti who starred in preceding trilogy (L’Avventura, L’Eclisse, La Notte) is back as the main object of Antonioni – almost unbearable in her mental state of ambivalence.

Plot is minimalistic in this severely depraved piece. Pic much relies on cinematography and the well justified soundtrack characterizes The Red Desert to some further extent. Even in the very first scene, Giuliana enters the desolate wasteland walking modestly and dressed up in bright pastel colours gives a distinct first impression of Antonioni’s direction.

Giuliana possess the role as sole star of pic. Her husband or the company that follows through are both quite vaguely defined and seemingly, they are enshrouded in their own pathetic narrowness and function as mere parenthesis’ of pic as a whole. The poor mental state which imprisonates Giuliana first appears at glance. Throughout the film we see how husband Ugo always aware of her condition but either ignores it or takes advantage of it sexually. A man named Corrado (Richard Harris) is introduced to storyline. He is a business aquiant of Ugo and struggles with own existential issues. When the two miserable spirits meet it’s like they can relate to eachother. Needlessly, Corrado remains a minor part, constantly shaded by Giuliana and her estranged world.

The Red Desert is Antonioni at his best and perhaps quite typical as well. His predilection towards architecture reflects in pale industrial buildings and sterile domestic interiors of the early 60’s, and a symbolic stage design reminiscent of L’Avventura.

This movie ranks high on my top list. One of my very favorites of all times, courtesy of the late Michelangelo Antonioni. I enjoy this usually one time per year, preferably in the fall. This Blu-ray viewing has been a sincere pleasure.