Mole, The Movie Reviews

Very entertaining while fun and safe for the kids. Would make a great gift, too!

I saw this film the first time without commentary, obviously, and was really taken aback by it. Everything that has already been said on here about the beautiful images in every frame, and the freshness of approach, etc., I agree with completely. Viewing it from a "normal" movie-watching perspective, the story is very interesting, but a little slow; I probably would have given it four stars. But the entirley new perspective and enthusiasm that is provided by Gene Youngblood's commentary really elevated the film to a higher level for me. The film definitely stands on its own as a great work of art, but the Criterion edition helped me to adjust to Antonioni's style and language much quicker. A great film, transfer, special edition, and commentary. This is well worth the cost if you're looking for something interesting and new. I know this isn't the most helpful review, but I just wanted to add another positive vote for "L'Avventura."

This is the Criterion Collection at their best, and director Michelangelo Antonioni at his best! This transfer is breathtaking it's so clean. It's difficult to imagine that a 40+ year old film could look so good today. The film is presented in a shallow 1.85:1 widescreen format and is in black and white dual-layer.

There is a brilliant commentary soundtrack, which comes-in quite handy. Listening to the commentary while watching this film shows just how detail-oriented director Antonioni was. Almost every scene, every prop has meaning and importance, and once you know what they are, you'll see just how brilliant this movie is.

They truly don't make movies like this anymore! The scenery is implicit, the photography is fabulous, the cinematography is worthy of Kubrick himself! (The women actors are gorgeous too).

The story is diliberately empty and void, and once you understand that, you'll see why the film feels the way that it does and you too will be haunted forever by it's beautiful vision.

No film is more pure in the cinematic sense than L' AVVENTURA. L' AVVENTURA is nothing like you've seen. It may be more than 40 years old and it still feels amazingly modern and refreshing. The first time I saw it when I was 18, I hated it ... it was so slow and dull and it was impossible to relate to any of the characters. But 15 years later, I came across the DVD and the picture of Monica Vitti with the "pyramid" in the backround evoked a very strangely powerful wave of images, sounds, and words. So I decided to give the film another chance. It was too beautiful and hypnotic that I couldn't stir for nearly 2.1/2 hours. After I got up from the couch, the world never looked the same again. I woke up the following morning feeling like a new person. I think the most perfect time to watch the film is around midnight when everything is quiet and dark. Turn off your phones and lock the doors. Turn off the lights and close the curtains. Push the "play" button and then the film will transport you to a totally new world that will haunt you eternally. But I think the film will work even more powerfully and beautifully if you wait for a week or two and watch it again. Most people I know "clicked" with the film during their second or third viewing. If you find yourself puzzled or even disappointed when L' AVVENTURA ends, that's okay. Don't give up. Wait for a few more weeks or even a year; then view the film again. You won't regret it; I can promise you that. The audio commentary by Gene Youngblood is magnificent. Make sure to listen to it. L' AVVENTURA is not called the landmark film for nothing. The Criterion Collection's treatment of the film is perfect - just like the film.