Friday, November 16, 2007
Montand and Pontecorvo On A Wide Blue Road
Gilo Pontecorvo is known for Burn! and Battle of Algiers. Two of the most overtly political films of the latter twentieth century. In 1999 Jonathan Demme saw Pontecorvo's first feature, The Wide Blue Road and later worked with Dustin Hoffman to secure its release. Their gift to the world is the resurrection of a fine fine melodrama featuring Yves Montand in a role that one could also picture Robert Mitchum in. Squarcio the fisherman believes that means justify the end. Therefore to take care of his family, he sees nothing wrong with dynamite fishing despite the illegality and the impact on the other fishermen in the village.
Italian Neo-realism had the unique capability of putting you in the world of others. The fishing village in Wide Blue Road is isolated universe full of tradition and passion. At the core, there is a conflict of the co-op vs. the individual and this is what propels Montand's self-principled combativeness.
This film is beautiful. The restoration shows how really wonderful colors in the silver rich emulsions of fifty years ago could produce stunning blues for sky and ocean. Ultimately, the command of this film is in Montand's performance. He could bring an impact to a closeup as well as any actor in cinema.
posted by well-executed buffet at 4:52 PM
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