La Notte (1961)

A day in the life of an unfaithful married couple and their steadily deteriorating relationship.

Director:

Michelangelo Antonioni

Writers:

Michelangelo Antonioni (story), Ennio Flaiano (story)

Stars:

Jeanne Moreau, Marcello Mastroianni, Monica Vitti

6 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Marcello Mastroianni	...	Giovanni Pontano
Jeanne Moreau	...	Lidia
Monica Vitti	...	Valentina Gherardini
Bernhard Wicki	...	Tommaso Garani
Rosy Mazzacurati	...	Rosy
Maria Pia Luzi	...	Un'invitata
Guido A. Marsan	...	Fanti (as Guido Ajmone Marsan)
Vittorio Bertolini
Vincenzo Corbella	...	Mr. Gherardini
Ugo Fortunati	...	Cesarino
Gitt Magrini	...	Signora Gherardini
Giorgio Negro	...	Roberto
Roberta Speroni	...	Beatrice

Storyline

In Milan, after visiting dear friend Tommaso Garani that is terminal in a hospital, the writer Giovanni Pontano goes to a party for the release of his last book, and his wife Lydia Pontano visits the place where she lived many years ago. In the night, they go to a night-club, and later to a party in the mansion of the tycoon Mr. Gherardini. Along the night, Giovanni flirts with Valentina Gherardini, the daughter of the host, and then he receives a proposal to work for him in the area of communication and write the history of his company. Meanwhile, Lydia flirts with the playboy Roberto.

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Plot Keywords:

party | writer | marriage | husband wife relationship | socialite | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Italy France

Language:

Italian French

Release Date:

19 February 1962 (USA)

Also Known As:

La Notte

Filming Locations:

Milan, Lombardia, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Nepi Film, Sofitedip, Silver Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Second part of the unofficial "Incomunicability Trilogy" also including L'Avventura (1960) and L'Eclisse (1962).

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Goofs

When Giovanni pours champagne in the hospital, Bernhard Wicki (Tommaso) looks straight to the camera while turning his head from Lidia to Giovanni.

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Quotes

Lidia: "When I awake this morning, you were still asleep. As I awoke I heard you gentle breathing. I saw you closed eyes beneath wisps of stray hair and I was deeply moved. I wanted to cry out, to wake you, but you slept so deeply, so soundly. " "In the half light you skin gloved with life so warm and sweet. I wanted to kiss it, but I was afraid to wake you. I was afraid of you awake in my arms again. Instead, I wanted to something no one could take from me, mine alone...this eternal image of you. ...

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Connections

Referenced in Life of Brian (1979)

User Reviews

Antonioni - Cinema Artiste

I just finished viewing this on DVD and I kept thinking - can anyone imagine someone making a picture like this these days?

Of course, this film was a product of a time and a place and a sensibility that is now long gone. But be that as it may, this is an excellent film about a married couple who have fallen out of love. OK, no one will be viewing this looking for escapist entertainment. However if you are looking for what the Cinema can do without a blue-screen to enlighten, engross and even (dare I say it) entertain while at the same time shedding some light on human relationships - this film comes highly recommended. Excellent cast too!

With his refinement and cinematic artistry, Antonioni was definitely hitting on all cylinders during the early 60's doing stories that would probably raise a loud 'HUH?' at a Hollywood pitch session - then or now.

While I don't rate this at quite the same level as L'Aventura, this is up there with the best of his films (IMHO).