L’Avventura (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray] [1960]

The first in a trilogy of films about couples in a crisis, L'Avventura takes place in an Italy enjoying an economic boom. The couple in L'Avventura is made up of Monica Vitti and Gabrielle Ferzetti. Sandro (Ferzetti) is an architect ,an intellectual, as in all three films, with the story of the same couple almost. An event, the loss of Sandro's mistress(Anna),while out on islands of Aeolia,north of Sicily, precedes the coming together of Claudia (Vitti) and Sandro as new lovers. The sense of alienation and existentialist absurdity are captured by the framing of the scenes and the sense of drawn out time, and the way black and white contrasts play out over a range of greys. Feelings of love that have been around for thousands of years do not find easy accommodation in a consumerist world. The ancient vase that is found becomes broken, old fine buildings are made into a police station. All the characters look a bit lost, with the loss of middle class values. People do not relate easily to each other nor live their love affairs. Beyond the narrative, the framing captures the visual poetry of loss, the way empty spaces emerge through his compositions, the way he places actors in disharmony with their environments. His camera probes the trace of the loss on the couple's actions, within an in-between space,where things, people, close to emptiness, are about to change or events are about to turn, in this void or absence. Moving from frame to frame brings out a sense of uneasy vigilance and instability in the audience, viewing a world where feelings are adrift, where something(not nothing) is always happening on screen. His major innovation is a way of looking at things in the world. He explores states of feeling and breakdowns in communication, emptiness, alertness, vacancy,heightened awareness of others and oneself. We see bodies moving in space and a perception of the world no longer determined by a narrative framework. The thing filmed is the initial situation of loss and the echo of that loss. All Antonioni is filming(and why his films are hard to define) is what comes afterwards,the trace that's left behind. Truly a masterwork Seeing the world with new meaning.

She is a true star of the Italian classic cinema. Monica Vitti and the films she made with the great Antonioni are all on my shelf however this one and L'eclisse are on my wishlist for a BD reissue by MoC. I shall ask them. But for now i am glad with those sheer beautiful DVD releases. The story ? Well it is about a group of friends ending up on an island and one woman dissapears and the search for her. Some find this story dull but i found it intriguing and fascinating. And yes Vitti off course. She shines,,,

Although the cover looks like American Criterion release, if you look closer, you'll see Korean characters on it. In fact, this consists of the first DVD of the double DVD Criterion edition: remastered image (over 7 GB), critical commentary on the film in English, English (and Korean) subtitles. If one is not that interested in the additional material on the second DVD of the Criterion release, one should go for this one - the quality is the same.

Waspish Anna the continual discontent seems to have everything but is not happy. Her better looking, gentle and sympathetic friend Claudia demonstrates true faith and loyalty and wins the heart of Anna's boyfriend when Anna goes missing, presumed dead. The film brilliantly plays out a very human dilemma and displays genius in capturing universal feelings of betrayal and reconciliation. It is also very Italian, has enjoyable film locations, excellent direction, cinematography, casting and costume.

I saw this movie ages ago and I wanted to share the experience with my partner. Unfortunately, the quality of the copy was so bad I couldn't focus on the beauty of the photography. The whole movie was very glitchy like someone compressed it in a bad way. Additionally, the sound quality was poor - with noise popping out in every quiet scene. I would expect something better from the film posted on Amazon. It's astonishing how easy it is to ruin this classic.I recommend you to find a copy somewhere else.

Beautifully transferred by Criterion this take on love and relationships is quite hypnotic. The extras are plentiful, as usual with Criterion and this is a film that rewards repeated viewing.

Cutting comment on the lack of seriousness with which a certain type of Italian male (always in search of new adventure) treats his current partner and the inevitable pain it brings. As always, beautifully filmed by Antonioni.

A wonderful, game changing film. So much of what movies became is due to Antonioni and his fellow 60s European film-makers. Beautiful restored by Criterion.

稀代の名女優、モニカ・ヴィッティのデビュー作主演男優のサンドロ役、フェルツェッティがオンナ好きの冴えない役柄行方不明になった元カノのアンナとの絡みに始まり、見知らぬ女との絡みで終る三部作と称されるが、アラン・ドロンなら違った展開だったなと、考えさせられた冴えないオトコと良いオンナとの関係が、不毛の愛で終る難解な作品が多いとされるアントニオーニ監督だが、これはこれで解り易いモノクロ映像だが、半世紀経っても色褪せない、古き良きイタリア映画だと感じさせる作品

Haven't watched the film yet, but have seen the other two movies in this series. If this one is anything like the others, it will be stupendous!!

Filmgoers seem to either love L'Avventura or hate it. This picture is difficult. Michelangelo Antonioni challenges us. We are forced to work, to have patience, and, most difficult of all, to accept uncertainty. He does not provide us with a groovy soundtrack to compensate for cinematic deficiencies or satisfy the modern movie audience's expectations of full sensory overload. L'Avventura is meant to be watched, really watched. And, in fact, Gene Youngblood, the film critic who supplies the commentary, refers to the protagonist, Claudia, as "the witness." As the viewers we then witness Claudia witnessing the world around her. She is also the only character in the film who sees anything outside of herself, be it art, architecture, landscape, or the fact that her friend, Anna, goes missing on a yachting cruise off the coast of Lisca Bianca, one of the Aeolian islands. She is the only one who cries over the incident. From the second we learn of Anna's disappearance, the plot of L'Avventura seems to be established. With the exception of Claudia, the other crew members make half-hearted attempts to find Anna, but it is obvious they have better things to do because they are rich and have places to go and people to see. It is this indifference that throws the viewer off course, and as the film unfolds we learn that L'Avventura is about something else entirely. Actually the film is about many things, which won't be revealed here.Michelangelo Antonioni is a Zen-like director in that he depicts life as it is with all its contradictions, simple yet complex, soothing and disturbing, an adventure and a bore, beautiful but lonely. He does not spare us. Even though L'Avventura focuses on a group of wealthy so-called friends, the human condition is the human condition regardless of how much money one has. The major difference, and what Antonioni might be trying to convey, is that those with money can buy diversions, a yacht, an Alfa Romeo, a villa. And since these same people do not work they are forced to buy time. Casual sex buys time, as well as endless parties and fancy dinners. The point is that the more distractions one has the easier it is to bury the inevitable pain of loss, betrayal, fear, loneliness, to name but a few, that are a part of life. However, the pain is still there for these people and maybe even more intensely, given the fact that all they have is a lot of toys but no genuine relationships, passion or meaning in their lives.Gene Youngblood, mentioned earlier, is wonderful as the commentator. He is enlightening and unpretentious. He admits to having seen L'Avventura twelve times in 1961, so he knows his subject. And his love for this film is contagious. For those who have had or are having trouble with the picture, it is recommended to try watching again with the commentary.The second disc contains testimonials from people who have known Antonioni and/or worked with him, so the viewer can gain further insight into the director's ideas, what he tried to say through his captivating images, and simply learn more about the man himself. There is also a brief segment on the restoration of the film, which is interesting even for technophobes like myself. Thankfully there are people with the skill and patience to take on this arduous process. How sad it would be to lose such an innovative and exquisite film. Buy this gem as soon as possible.

Un des films les plus romantiques de Antonioni. Le film n'a pas vieilli, les plans incroyables.C'est un chef d'œuvre. Toutes les scènes sont porteuses d'une beauté fascinante et mystérieuse. C'est d'abord la d'une femme, qui était au départ la seule raison d'être du film, liée à tous les autres protagonistes : amant, meilleure amie...) Puis elle disparait sans rien évidente. Envolée. Si présente dans l'esprit des nouveaux amants, elle crée un nouveau malaise, une présence obsédante, dicible ou non, pour ceux qui cherchèrent leur amie et se mettent à trouver l'amour. L'amour interdit au départ, mais au final l'Amour.

Long but rewarding film. Holds your interest throughout. Monica Vitti is always worth watching. Bravo!