Movie about the meaning of existence and the hope

Rating: 8/10 (15 January 2016)

Comparing to 'The Great Beauty' this movie doesn't have a dynamics of the previous one, everything is in slow motion and therefore seems more depressed. Recognizable aesthetics is colorful with plenty of different, interesting details, scenes and characters. Some of them are actually playing themselves which contributes to the sense of reality. The manner in which Sorentino used light, focusing it just on the person in absolute darkness might be inspired by Carravagio and baroque painting - a metaphor of hope, but also of the death, according to general belief that at the moment of one's death light is to be seen. Also the eternal question of the meaning of existence (life, work, creativity, success, marriage, children, friendship, love), which becomes more often with ages, is emphasized in the nice way. The unexpected reversal at the end, the man who was enthusiastic about the future in his old age loses hope and commits suicide and the other, declared as apathetic turns toward life is how Sorentino allows hope and optimism to win at the end.