Bellissima (1951)

Director: Luchino Visconti
Stars: Anna Magnani, Walter Chiari, Tina Apicella
Runtime: 108 minutes

Synopsis: The mother of a young actress will do anything to get her daughter a role in a movie. 

Performances: 9/10
Screenplay: 8/10
Special Effects: N.A.
Costumes/Makeup: 7/10
Editing: 8/10
Cinematography: 9/10
Score/Soundtrack: 7/10

Verdict: "Bellissima" is probably my favorite film dating from the Italian Neorealism era (which also saw the making of classics such as "Bicycle Thieves" or "La Dolce Vita"). I absolutely loved that movie, which revolves around the themes of parenthood and cinema. The characters in it are certainly part of the reason I enjoyed it so much. Anna Magnani is an absolute joy to watch, and her character one of the most layered and interesting ones I have seen in a while. The movie centers around her and her obsession with casting her daughter in a film and she sells every single scene she's in. I forgot at one point that I was watching an actress reciting lines, and became convinced that her character was a real person. The other performances were also great, but none of them were as lively and fascinating as Magnani. Director Luchino Visconti also did an amazing job with the film's presentation. I never felt that the movie was dragging or too long for my liking. He also used a very interesting cinematography technique that involves mirrors and reflexions that certainly added to the aesthetic of the classic. "Bellissima" is a great film from a great era in cinema, and a definite must to every cinephile out there.

Final Grade: 8/10