L'AVVENTURA (1960) - ♦♦♦♦♦

Directed by - Michelangelo Antonioni

Written by - Michelangelo Antonioni, Elio Bartolini, Tonino Guerra

Starring - Lea Massari, Monica Vitti, Dominique Blanchar, Gabriele Ferzetti

"One of Michelangelo Antonioni's most acclaimed films, and rightfully so, as especially when it came out, it felt groundbreaking and absolutely unique. 

The story of L'Avventura revolves around an investigation of sorts by a woman, concerned by the disappearance of a more or less friend. 

L'Avventura was also the first film in a trilogy on modernity and discontent. Forever identified as an ultimate interpreter of alienation on screen, L'Avventura is defined by long sequences in which nothing appears to happen, and yet speaks volumes in subtexts and psychological intensity which creates a sinister and mysterious atmosphere the likes of which went on to influence countless of other films.  This atmosphere in turn is equally as powerful in representing individual as well as a type of collective paranoia and even hysteria.

It is also important to note a particular attention to the characters themselves, representatives of the bored and privileged upper class that casually stumbles upon affairs and even implausible mysteries due to boredom and a fear of falling into oblivion. 

Aside from the excellent cinematography work, systematically planned and often positively unusual, L'Avventura made an international star out of the beautiful and wonderful Monica Vitti, who stars as the central jaded socialite, moving on the screen with grace but also emphasising an air of emptiness and sadness that the audience can easily become acquainted with and understand as the film progresses.

Drama, Italy/France