Review of 8½ (1963)

This movie tells a story about film director Guido Anselmi who is suffering from director's block. Main character who is played by Marcello Mastroianni doesn't get inspiration and because of that is anxious. He has no script for his movie. Actresses demand informations about their roles but there isn't any. The fuss keeps going on around the poor director who hasn't got a clue about the movie he is making.

The other theme of the movie is Guido's relationships. Wife Luisa (Anouk Aimèe) is descreet and classy. Lover Clara (Sandra Milo) is irresolute. Crush Claudia (Claudia Cardinale) is his salvation.

The third theme is Guido's inner world and childhood...or recollections about childhood. Guido feels that he has caused shame to his mother. He has distant relations to his mother and father. Recollections about childhood opens up Guidos personality and helps to understand the situation in which he is.

The movie has lots of dream like chapters. Guido tries to get the big picture of himself and his relationships through these memories. I found pairs from the dream like chapters: black-white, approval-abnegation.

Finally Guido finds his salvation by excepting himself as he is. This comes from giving up all the pressures.

Drama, craziness, glamour of black and white film..I like. The movie is brilliant visually.