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 & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Marcello Mastroianni	...	Giovanni Pontano
Jeanne Moreau	...	Lidia Pontano
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 Lidia 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, Lidia flirts with the playboy Roberto.

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Taglines:

A new genre of motion picture... to make you think and feel.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Michelangelo Antonioni's first collaboration with Marcello Mastroianni. Surprisingly, these two titans of the Italian film industry would not work together again for another 34 years on Beyond the Clouds (1995).

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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

Giovanni: You bought it? I wanted to bring you a copy.
Tommaso Garani: I didn't just buy it. I'm reading it too. I've only read 50 pages so far. I hope they'll let me finish it. I like certain parts very much, like the whole thing about the bath. It's your best work ever, if the morphine hasn't warped my judgment. Morphine makes everything seem important.
Giovanni: Then it's definitely the morphine.

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Connections

Referenced in Beyond the Clouds (1995)

User Reviews

"...life would be tolerable if not for its pleasures..."

LA NOTTE is a drama that focuses on a crisis and infidelity in a marriage.

A prominent writer and his beautiful wife visit their dying friend in a hospital in Milan. His new book has just been published, and their friend, despite his heavy pain, praises his work. Writer's wife, visibly shaken, leaves a hospital in tears. However, her husband, who has stayed a little longer with their friend, has found himself in a lewd game of a seduction with a young and mentally ill girl in the next room. Later, he sees his wife crying but does not comfort her. As they drive off, he tells her about his "unpleasant" encounter with the sick woman and is surprised when she dismisses the incident. Spouses are emotionally moving away from each other. However, they attend together a swanky party thrown by a millionaire businessman...

The story is based on alienation, lack of love and misunderstanding in the High Society. Mr. Antonioni has, in an explicit way, introduced a failed marriage. However, that "empty" game in the lives of wealthy people gradually becomes boring. That world, which is full of an elegance and styles, it is very tedious and lonely. The protagonists have condemned themselves to an excessive alienation. Each bright moment in their lives is actually an escape from the actual situation. However, they will have to face the truth.

This story is not overly exciting, but it is very suggestive. The main protagonists are constantly emphasize the emotional exhaustion, boredom and internal anxiety. Characterization is quite superficial.

Jeanne Moreau as Lidia is a woman who emotionally dying. Her mood goes from bad to worse. Her eyes understand and accuse at the same time. Marcello Mastroianni as Giovanni Pontano is a bit silly character as her husband. He is lost in his art and the emptiness of their marriage. His performance is very pale. Monica Vitti as Valentina Gherardini is a pleasant phenomenon in the latter part of the film. However, she is a dark and impersonal character, who did not bring a change in the rhythm.

The biggest flaw in this film is the absence of one character as a "relief valve" or perhaps some moderate catharsis at the end.

Details

Country:

Italy France

Language:

Italian English French

Release Date:

19 February 1962 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Night

Filming Locations:

Milan, Lombardy, Italy

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,547, 18 September 2016

Gross USA:

$39,236

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$39,236

Company Credits

Production Co:

Nepi Film, Sofitedip, Silver Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

Mono Mono (Fono-Roma)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1