“…thirty years after its premiere, it regularly makes the top-ten listing of Cahiers du cinéma.” I would have to agree with the UC Press E-Books collection on Roberto Rossellini. Journey to Italy was released in 1954 yet I could see a film with similar nuances coming out today. This movie made me extremely uncomfortable in the best of ways. It was as if I was intruding on a couple during their worst moments. Sometimes people don’t just come out and say exactly how they’re feeling or what they’re thinking. Rossellini captured perfectly how these two characters dance around each other so they don’t have to face their emotions. For example the scene where Katherine is pretending to be asleep while Alex sneaks in late at night. Only to confront him soon after because she’s desperate for connection.
Usually Rossellini was known for keeping out of the current and staying true to his vision. So people were quick to criticize his use of big name actors and grand luxurious locations for this production. The picturesque shots of Italy are beautiful. Traveling through ruins is an outward representation of Katherine and Alex’s relationship. Barely holding on, crumbling apart and disappearing with time. The stand alone shots of Italy make one feel insignificant and alone. Especially when seen through the eyes of Katherine. While driving she remarks how many pregnant women are walking around the town. You can sense her bitterness and longing towards other couple’s happiness. Alex also longs for connection, but pursues it in backhanded and hurtful ways. Openly flirting with other women (their friends) in front of Katherine. Picking up a possible lady of the night and then insulting her because of the communication barrier. It doesn’t make one fond of his character. Based on their interactions I did not see the end coming. Nor did I like it.
The ending was a band aide covering a severed artery. It only concealed a portion of the problem. Death is a great metaphor for a new beginning. Scorsese believes “The miracle that occurs at the end of Journey to Italy is really the realization of their love for each other. And part of that love is the anger and the alienation they felt all the way through the story. This is part of the journey they have to take.” Saying that Alex still tried to sleep with other women. Maybe he even has in the past. Up until the point they decide to try to keep the marriage together he is belittling her feelings. In this passionate scene Katherine is literally swept off her feet by the crowd during the procession. When Katherine asks if the divorce will be painful Alex replies, “Well. More complicated.” On the other hand many critics feel that the ending was perfect. Wheeler Dixon believes “the final moments of the film seem absolutely “right”; indeed, it seems to be the only possible conclusion to the film.” That is only because he feels that Rossellini did everything with purpose. Including not showing up to film because of lack of inspiration. At the time this was a controversial picture and box office flop. Looking at Journey to Italy today it was definitely a movie ahead of it’s time.
Hello Sydney,
Your depiction of the audience “intruding on a couple during their worst moments”, was very much how I felt when watching the movie. Their very personal and abrasive arguments were uncharacteristically allowed to be public, which was certainly a novel way of entertaining. I had not known that some critics viewed the ending of Journey to Italy in a favorable light, as it seemed very sudden to me. I enjoyed the way in which you opened the essay, beginning with a direct quote from a source. This method of attaining the readers’ immediate attention is a fascinating as well as useful technique, that I would be happy to employ in my future writing.
Hello Sydney,
I really liked your post about this movie, and it made me want to watch it for myself. I also agree with you, the movie seemed WAY ahead of it’s time. In the 1950s, relationship drama and problems were swept under the rug at home and not exposed to the public eye nearly as much as they are now. People really kept quiet about their own issues, especially women. Today, this has completely turned around 180 degrees and women have a major voice in domestic issues. Also, cinema seems to lend itself more easily towards movies with deep characters and drama…especially in the persona lives of the main characters. This movie would have succeeded a lot better today than it did in 1954! Thanks for writing this!
Dan
I agree with you, The ending was not expected at all. But I also think it was the right ending simply because love is complicated and there couldn’t have being a better ending than the one it had. Most people expected them to break up and walk away from each other, but realistically that doesn’t really happen. Often people have issues, but no matter how ugly it gets they stay with each other because their love is bigger than some temporary ugliness. I love the way you describe the film and the examples you used to describe your explanations.
Hi Sydney,
I would say that love stories that don’t work out are tragic to watch but sometimes make for a more realistic perspective on relationships. You did an excellent job of explaining the complexities of each characters perspective, I need to work on that. Your blog taught me that a well written non cliche love story is capable os standing the test of time.
Hello Sydney,
I agree with you in that the movie was ahead of its time. It touched on the ups and downs of real relationships in such a raw manner, and I feel like that may have contributed to why it flopped– people weren’t comfortable with the topic and might have felt exposed or vulnerable. During this time, marriages were depicted to be fantasies; the dad gets home from work, the son gets good grades, the mom has the house perfect and has dinner ready–everything is supposed to be perfect, so when people kind of get that rude awakening it can make them feel uncomfortable. I also like how you began with a quote, well done on this week’s essay!
I also felt uncomfortable during the movie but I knew that what was expected because it wasn’t going to an action packed movie but one where most of the magic is in the script. I also agree that the ending was a band-aid for the entire conflict. the take all there troubles from the entire movie and put them aside and finally realize they are in love with each other.
Hi Sydney,
Wonderful blog post, thank you for sharing!
Your depictions and analysis of the emotions the characters face, and the comparison of Rossellini’s previous works, provided me such an in depth insight to the film. After reading your review, I really want to watch the movie and see for myself your points of observation.