423. Il Deserto Rosso

Il Deserto Rosso
The Red Desert
1964
Directed by Michelangelo Antonioni

This is a film that I really thought I would be able to connect to since I have suffered from depression and I understand what it feels like.  However, this film was dull, absolutely nothing happens, and the dialogue seemed forced and bordered on corny.

Monica Vitti (who bears a remarkable resemblance to Jennifer Lawrence) plays Giulania, a woman who has not been quite right since she was in a car accident. Dumbledore Richard Harris' character, Corrado, falls in love with her, even though (or maybe because) she buys half eaten sandwiches from strangers.  When a beautiful woman is depressed, she is mysterious and intriguing.  When an average looking woman is depressed, she is crazy and frightening.  But whatever, in this case she is hot so it doesn't matter.

This is my fourth Antonioni experience and I have to say that it is getting kind of exhausting.  I feel like he is very indulgent and self absorbed.  It's like he doesn't care if the viewer understands or connects to his film, because he connects to it.  Well, that is just rude and incredibly boring, Michelangelo.

Like I said, the dialogue feels unnatural and the characters' actions (particularly Giulania's son's) are completely baffling.  Thumbs down.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Allegedly, Harris was kicked off the set after punching Antonioni in the face.  The rest of his scenes were done with a different actor.

Antonioni's first color film.