Some friends of mine and I were persuaded to see The Journey of Captain Fracassa on a film club the other night. Although our tastes in film are very different, we were all greatly impressed and moved by this captivating fantasy.
The film is beautiful to look at, with its special mixture of theatrical scenography and bitter realism, among its very playful, elegant and entertaining script is also great amounts of subtle wisdom. The characters seem simple at first, but develop great depths as the film moves along. "The Journey of Captain Fracassa" is also superbly acted, each of the performances is memorable; the beautiful, expressive faces of the actors and actresses stay with you for a long time. If anyone should be mentioned, though, it must be Massimo Troisi's moving blend of naïveté and wisdom as the classical fool, Pulcinella, and Vincent Perez' impressive transformation as the insecure Baron de Sigognac, who becomes a lover and a performer of the theatre. Perez starts out looking all wide-eyed and trembling, and finishes with the confident air of an Italian football player. A lovely performance.
I go to film clubs regularly and have had many great film experiences in the last years. However, I can hardly remember leaving the cinema more profoundly entranced and touched than after having seen The Journey of Captain Fracassa. Do not miss the opportunity to see it. I ardently hope it will be re-released soon; I will be the first in line to secure the dvd.
The film is beautiful to look at, with its special mixture of theatrical scenography and bitter realism, among its very playful, elegant and entertaining script is also great amounts of subtle wisdom. The characters seem simple at first, but develop great depths as the film moves along. "The Journey of Captain Fracassa" is also superbly acted, each of the performances is memorable; the beautiful, expressive faces of the actors and actresses stay with you for a long time. If anyone should be mentioned, though, it must be Massimo Troisi's moving blend of naïveté and wisdom as the classical fool, Pulcinella, and Vincent Perez' impressive transformation as the insecure Baron de Sigognac, who becomes a lover and a performer of the theatre. Perez starts out looking all wide-eyed and trembling, and finishes with the confident air of an Italian football player. A lovely performance.
I go to film clubs regularly and have had many great film experiences in the last years. However, I can hardly remember leaving the cinema more profoundly entranced and touched than after having seen The Journey of Captain Fracassa. Do not miss the opportunity to see it. I ardently hope it will be re-released soon; I will be the first in line to secure the dvd.