Uniquely cinematic

Rating: 9/10 (16 May 2016)

Director Sorrentino has been accused of being ostentatious in displaying his talents. In the case of this movie I say that if you've got it, flaunt it. Sorrentino utilizes all of the potential of movies--music, sound, cinematography, acting, and dialog--to create a satisfying whole.
The story is of two aging professionals on vacation at a resort in the Alps. One of the two is a retired composer and conductor and the other is a currently active movie director. The conductor/composer is Fred Ballinger (Michael Caine) and the movie director is Mike Boule (Harvey Keitel). The Alpine resort itself is a major character and a feel for the place comes from short takes, like a brief glimpse of a row of bodies sunning themselves, people lining up for a sauna, or nightly stage shows. While Sorrentino has his own style, it is clear he has taken some pointers from Fellini. There is a dreamlike quality to many of the scenes. I never know who deserves credit for such effective camera work, beyond the director and cinematographer there is probably a whole team to thank. Anyway, Sorrentino has a feel for the medium that I find most pleasing.
Music plays a significant role, befitting Ballinger's profession. There are some elegantly choreographed scenes. Luna Mijovic plays a masseuse at the resort and I was captivated by every scene she was in. She does some dynamic interpretive dance numbers--the scene that ends with her crossing her arms across her chest as the music fades is beautifully done. The final scene that has soprano Sumi Jo, violinist Viktoria Mullova, the BBC Concert Orchestra, and the Berlin Radio Choir preforming Ballinger's Simple Symphony #3 is a real knockout--it alone makes the movie worthwhile. I backed up and watched that scene several times. The original score by David Lang is impressive. Most movies about a fictional composer usually have some generic compositions, such as "Mr. Holland's Opus," but Lang's score adds some real depth here.
The main focus of the story is on Fred Ballinger. Initially, by his own admission, he is a disengaged spectator of life, essentially serving his time until the end. But he cannot ignore his innate appreciation of sound. First it is the sounds a candy wrapper makes when rolled between a finger and thumb. Then it is cowbells and cows mooing in a meadow, and then a young lad at the resort playing his violin. Finally he is reengaged as a conductor in the final scene. I found that following Ballinger's gradual reawakening to be moving.
The acting is uniformly good. It's nice to see the two old pros Caine and Keitel in good form as well as a strong cameo performance by Jane Fonda. The prostate jokes could have been cut as an improvement.