I Vitelloni : Criterion Collection

Criterion | minutes | | | Standard DVD reviewed by: Fusion3600

In a small coastal town, a group of friends live the lives of wild teens, even though their real age is close to thirty years. The circle is having trouble moving from adolescence into adulthood, stuck in the motions of a younger generation. Fausto (Franco Fabrizi) is the head of the group, a devious skirt chaser who stops at nothing to score his target. He is joined by musician Riccardo (Riccardo Fellini), the childish Alberto (Alberto Sordi), aspiring writer Leopoldo (Leopoldo Trieste), and Moraldo (Franco Interlenghi). Of the entire circle of friends, only Moraldo seems to have any cares about his actions. The others do as they please, mostly in terms of the various women they encounter. Fausto is the worst about sexual conquests, as he will do whatever it takes to seduce a woman, then leave her like she was damaged goods. All of them still live at home with their parents, but instead of going to school, learning a trade, or just putting in a day's work, they choose to stay out all night and chase women. But when Fausto has to face the music when one of his conquests turns up pregnant, the eternal childhood is endangered. Moraldo has started to doubt his choices as well, but he must break free in order to enact real change in his life. But can he leave his friends behind, or will he be left behind so as to stay with them?

If you want cinema about slackers, leave Clerks on the shelf and pass on Slacker, as Federico Fellini's I Vitelloni is the prime example. Yes, even an artistic master like Fellini could craft a movie about shiftless layabouts into a masterful production. I wouldn't rank this movie with his best works, films such as 8 1/2 and La Dolce Vita, but I Vitelloni is a well crafted motion picture that deserves a larger audience. The director's grand cinematic vision hadn't blossomed yet, though the path was being forged in this picture. His trademark patterns weren't fully developed either, but you can see all the pieces in motion, no doubt about it. The influence the film has had on filmmakers is obvious, especially Martin Scorsese, but the movie remains one of Fellini's lesser known works. I suppose the fact that Fellini has so many superior films might be part of the reason, but I see no reason why a director's entire resume couldn't be celebrated. This is also a simpler movie that we're used to from Fellini, which turns some folks off. I don't need complexity in all the films I watch and when done right, a simple, straightforward movie can be quite effective. Criterion has restored the film for this release, then tacked on a few nice supplements. I recommend I Vitelloni without hesitation, as the movie and Criterion's treatment are both worthwhile.

I Vitelloni is presented in full frame, as intended. I knew this would look good, but it is even better than expected, some terrific work here indeed. I wouldn't say this is a pristine, reference level treatment, but it is the best I've ever seen the flick look on home video, so I am most pleased. The print looks very clean, with minimal debris and other problems, so the image is allowed to shine and that it does. The black & white looks great and shows more sharpness than expected, which is always good news. Another great looking transfer from Criterion, who know how to handle these wonderful pictures.

There just isn't much to discuss here, as the included Italian mono option is good, but won't turn any heads, of course. This is a dialogue driven movie and that means mono is more than adequate, no real problems seem to surface here. I heard no hiss or distortion of any kind, which is good news with a flick of this age, to be sure. No errors in terms of dialogue either, which is crucial and all, since this is a movie dominated by dialogue, to be sure. Not much else to report to be honest, although optional English subtitles were included, should you need them.

This disc includes a wonderful featurette with all kinds of interviews, a collection of still photos & artwork, and the film's theatrical trailer.