This is one of the final films ever directed by Federico Fellini, and as late-period films from acclaimed directors sometimes are, this one feels a bit self-indulgent. Self-indulgence can be a good or bad thing when it comes to movies. Sometimes it results in a film that feels filled to the brim with stuff going on, emotions to feel, and sights to look at, meaning you never get bored. Other times, self-indulgence makes a film feel bloated and even a bit flat. At a point, And the Ship Sails On starts to feel kind of bloated.
It follows a bunch of people who go on a ship in 1914 to spread the ashes of a famous opera singer at sea. Eventually, the captain finds some refugees and is compelled to save them. Then complications ensue from the fact there are two different groups/classes of people on board a large ship that suddenly feels much smaller.
It does feel like Fellini is unchecked here, resulting in a few scenes going on for what feels like a bit too long. It might just be a me thing, but there have been a number of 2+ hour movies I've watched recently that I wished were even just 10-15 minutes shorter. I could same the same about a movie I watched right before this: 1972's The Cowboys.
And the Ship Sails On has some creative ideas and most of it is interesting, but its pacing and length (even if it only felt a little too long) held it back for me. I think it's a perfectly decent film, being presented well and with a solid story, but I couldn't get super into it.
It follows a bunch of people who go on a ship in 1914 to spread the ashes of a famous opera singer at sea. Eventually, the captain finds some refugees and is compelled to save them. Then complications ensue from the fact there are two different groups/classes of people on board a large ship that suddenly feels much smaller.
It does feel like Fellini is unchecked here, resulting in a few scenes going on for what feels like a bit too long. It might just be a me thing, but there have been a number of 2+ hour movies I've watched recently that I wished were even just 10-15 minutes shorter. I could same the same about a movie I watched right before this: 1972's The Cowboys.
And the Ship Sails On has some creative ideas and most of it is interesting, but its pacing and length (even if it only felt a little too long) held it back for me. I think it's a perfectly decent film, being presented well and with a solid story, but I couldn't get super into it.