It is cryptic.
But then, at it's climactic point, the protagonist voices with total simplicity and clarity exactly what she is feeling. It took my breath away, this moment of understanding, in the space of ten words, the whole film pulled together and the effect was devastating.
La Notte, a beautiful, black and white, melancholy passage through one day and one night, strikes the same chord in this same brilliant, moving manner.
During the day the landscape is industrial, urban, unforgiving and ugly. At night they attend a party, the scene is lavish and extravagant.
The story is episodic: a visit to a dying friend, a seduction by a deranged inmate, watching boys set off rockets in the fields, a night club.
It is a life-like narrative. Haphazard incidents culminating within us to shape our decisions, emotions and self-perception.
The characters are like islands. Each isolated. Communication has broken down.
Until the final scene. As dawn rises and we lie in the sand bank of a golf course. As two lovers discover the fatal truth. Expressed once more, in total clarity.
It is beautiful. it hurts.
La Notte is an absolute bruiser, captivating throughout every cryptic scene.
Watch it :)
