I admit it: I struggle more with Fellini than any other "master" of the cinematic cannon. If you recall the annoying guy in the movie line behind Alvy Singer and Annie Hall, I'm afraid to say that I agree with most everything he said about Fellini. Having said that, this, his first work as a (co-) director, is quite delightful. Here, the things that would get the master excited throughout his career- the circus, the city, night and delirium- are ecstatically expounded, but without the brooding insistence on metaphorical significance that would take over from "La Dolce Vita" on. Watching this, I simply felt myself to be on a wild ride, and there were even moments that made Fellini's signature elements feel as mystical as the director would later "command" his audiences to feel them. But here, the mysticism came naturally, and therefore seemed much more legitimately profound and unexpected.
Review of Variety Lights
