Movie Summary:
"Parthenope" (2024) is a visually stunning R-rated coming-of-age drama with fantasy elements, directed and written by Paolo Sorrentino. The 137-minute, Italian-French co-production delves into themes of youth, beauty, desire, and the fleeting nature of these elements, all set against the backdrop of Naples and the Mediterranean coast. The title, "Parthenope," references a siren and the ancient name of Naples, hinting at the seductive and potentially dangerous allure of beauty and desire explored in the film. The story centers around Parthenope, a young woman whose captivating beauty shapes her experiences and the perceptions of those around her, examining the complexities of being desired and the societal pressures placed on young women.
Plot Summary:
"Parthenope" traces the life of Parthenope from her childhood to adulthood in Naples. Born by the sea, young Parthenope is immediately aware of the impact of her beauty. The film follows her as she explores different paths and encounters various figures who influence her understanding of life and beauty. She considers acting, contemplates becoming an "aesthete," and delves into academia, studying anthropology. Throughout her journey, Parthenope meets men who represent different facets of male desire, from infatuated young admirers to older, paternal figures offering wisdom. The film touches upon historical events in Italy, such as student protests in the 1970s, as a backdrop to Parthenope's personal evolution. Ultimately, "Parthenope" is less about a linear plot and more about capturing moments and encounters that shape her life and understanding of beauty, freedom, and the mysteries of existence.
Director's Vision:
Paolo Sorrentino envisions "Parthenope" as a meditation on beauty, youth, and freedom, and their ephemeral nature. He aims to explore these themes through the life of Parthenope, a woman who embodies the allure of Naples, much like the mythical siren for whom the city is named. Sorrentino is interested in the "mystery" of women and how beauty can be both empowering and entrapping. He uses Naples as a character itself, showcasing its beauty and complexities to reflect the inner world of Parthenope. His vision is to create a film that is a "sumptuous feast for the senses," employing opulent visuals and a dreamlike atmosphere to explore deeper existential questions about life, desire, and perception. He describes Parthenope not as a siren or a myth, but a woman who embodies the spirit of her city.
Themes:
Beauty and the Male Gaze: The film directly confronts the experience of being desired and observed, particularly through the "male gaze." It examines how beauty shapes Parthenope's identity and the societal pressures placed upon young women due to their looks.
Youth and Transience: "Parthenope" emphasizes the fleeting nature of youth and beauty. It explores how these qualities are celebrated yet are inherently temporary, and how decisions made in youth have lasting consequences.
Freedom and Self-Discovery: Parthenope's journey is a quest for freedom and self-discovery. She explores different paths in life, seeking fulfillment beyond the limitations of her beauty and external expectations.
Desire and Mystery: The film delves into the enigmatic nature of desire, both in how Parthenope is desired by others and her own desires in life. It acknowledges the inherent mystery in human attraction and relationships.
Naples as a Character: The city of Naples is more than just a setting; it's a character that embodies beauty, complexity, and a sense of timelessness. The film uses Naples to reflect Parthenope's inner world and the broader themes of the film.
Key Success Factors:
Visual Poetry and Cinematography: The film is lauded for its "renaissance art" cinematography and visually stunning shots, creating a captivating and aesthetically rich experience. The lush visuals and landscapes are considered a major strength.
Exploration of Complex Themes: "Parthenope" tackles profound themes of beauty, desire, and the human condition, offering a meditation on these subjects through a female perspective.
Paolo Sorrentino's Direction: Sorrentino's signature style, characterized by dreamlike sequences, opulent visuals, and exploration of complex characters, is a key draw for audiences familiar with his work.
Celeste Dalla Porta's Performance: As her first film role, Celeste Dalla Porta's portrayal of Parthenope is considered "ambrosial" and captivating, embodying the beauty and mystery of the character.
A24 Production: The involvement of A24, known for producing innovative and award-winning films, adds to the film's prestige and anticipation.
Summary (Short):
"Parthenope" (2024) is a visually stunning and R-rated coming-of-age drama with fantasy elements, directed by Paolo Sorrentino, exploring the life of a beautiful young woman in Naples named Parthenope. The 137-minute film meditates on beauty, youth, desire, and the search for meaning, set against the backdrop of the enchanting Mediterranean coast.
Awards and Nominations:
"Parthenope" has received 1 win and 3 nominations, including:
Won CST Artist - Technician Prize at Cannes Film Festival for Daria D'Antonio's Cinematography
Nominated for Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival for Paolo Sorrentino
Nominated for Audience Award at Aegean Film Festival for Paolo Sorrentino
Nominated for Golden Camera 300 at International Cinematographers' Film Festival Manaki Brothers for Daria D'Antonio
Critics Reception:
RMTV: Describes "Parthenope" as "visual poetry" and commends Sorrentino's ability to create a captivating atmosphere. However, the review notes that the film leans heavily on aesthetics, which "can hardly compensate for the lack in story" and emotional depth, reducing Parthenope to a "sex icon."
Hyperreal Film Club: While acknowledging the film's technical and visual strengths, the review criticizes its failure to delve into the protagonist's inner world. It argues that "Parthenope fails to say much about its protagonist" and that the narrative feels like a series of events without a coherent exploration of her perspective on beauty and life.
Roger Ebert.com: Describes the film as "often transcendently alluring" and a "sumptuous feast for the senses." It highlights Sorrentino's fascination with beauty and the "fleeting dream of freedom" but also suggests that the film portrays women as a "great mystery" to the director, keeping Parthenope "alienated from the human experience."
Overall Summary of Critics Reception:
Critical reception for "Parthenope" is mixed to moderately positive. Critics consistently praise the film's visual beauty, cinematography, and atmosphere, recognizing Sorrentino's artistic strengths. However, some reviews point out a lack of emotional depth and narrative substance, suggesting the film prioritizes aesthetics over a profound character study. There's a recurring theme in reviews that the film, while beautiful, may not fully explore the inner life and perspective of its protagonist, Parthenope, as deeply as it could.
Reviews about Movie Online:
Online reviews and summaries generally echo the critical reception, emphasizing the visual appeal and thematic ambitions of the film while sometimes noting a potential lack of narrative depth.
Wikipedia: Provides a factual overview of the film, highlighting its genre, cast, production details, and planned release.
IMDb: Provides basic film information and plot keywords, suggesting themes of coming-of-age, beauty, and Naples.
Summary of Online Reviews:
Online summaries and descriptions of "Parthenope" highlight its visual beauty and Sorrentino's signature style. They present it as a film focused on themes of beauty, youth, and life in Naples, often mentioning the mythological and siren-like quality associated with the name Parthenope. They prepare potential viewers for a visually rich and thematically ambitious film, while subtly hinting at the critical discussions around its narrative depth.
Box Office (as of 03/09/25):
Budget: €26,300,000 (Substantial Production Budget)
US & Canada Gross: $287,144 (Limited US & Canada Box Office)
Worldwide Gross: $10,370,184 (Moderate Worldwide Box Office)
Production:
"Parthenope" is an international co-production between Italy and France, written, produced, and directed by Paolo Sorrentino. Key production companies include The Apartment, Pathé, Numero 10, PiperFilm, Saint Laurent, and A24 is the distributor in the US. The film boasts visually opulent cinematography by Daria D'Antonio and features costumes in collaboration with Yves Saint Laurent, contributing to its aesthetic richness.
Sales Companies:
Fremantle [US] (World-wide Sales)
Pathé [FR] (World-wide Sales)
The Gossamer Group [GB] (Sweden Sales)
United Talent Agency (UTA) [US] (World-wide Sales)
Distribution Companies:
A24 [US] (United States - Theatrical)
PiperFilm [IT] (Italy - Theatrical)
Alamode Film [DE] (Germany - Theatrical)
Atmosfera Kino [RU] (Russia - Theatrical)
BfParis [AR] (Argentina - Theatrical)
Cinéart [BE] (Belgium - Theatrical)
Cinéart [NL] (Netherlands - Theatrical)
Green Light Films [UA] (Ukraine - Theatrical)
Mongrel Media [CA] (Canada - Theatrical)
Paris Filmes [BR] (Brazil - Theatrical)
Pathé [FR] (France - Theatrical, Switzerland - All Media)
The Film Group [GR] (Greece - Theatrical)
TriArt Film [SE] (Sweden - Theatrical)
Aero [GB] (Czechia - All Media, Slovakia - All Media)
Aud [KR] (South Korea - All Media)
BTEAM [ES] (Spain - All Media)
Bir Film [TR] (Turkey - All Media)
Front Row Filmed Entertainment [AE] (United Arab Emirates - All Media - Middle East, North Africa and Iran)
Independenta Film [RO] (Romania - All Media)
Lev Cinemas [IL] (Israel - All Media)
Mauris Film [RU] (Russia - Video)
Monolith Films [PL] (Poland - All Media)
NOS Audiovisuais [PT] (Portugal - All Media)
Picture House [GB] (United Kingdom - All Media)
Star Entertainment [IN] (India - All Media)
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23853982/
Link Review: https://www.theguardian.com/film/article/2024/may/22/parthenope-review-paolo-sorrentino
About movie: https://a24films.com/films/parthenope
Link to watch: https://www.amazon.com/Parthenope-Paolo-Sorrentino/dp/B0DBQ867WN/ (US)
Why to Recommend This Movie:
"Parthenope" is recommended for viewers who appreciate visually stunning cinema, are drawn to Paolo Sorrentino's distinctive directorial style, and are interested in films that explore complex themes related to beauty, youth, and the human condition. It is a film to be experienced for its artistic merit and atmospheric richness.
Why You Should Watch Movie:
Visual Feast: Immerse yourself in the breathtaking cinematography and opulent visuals of Naples and the Mediterranean coast.
Paolo Sorrentino's Signature Style: Experience the unique filmmaking of a celebrated director known for his dreamlike narratives and complex characters.
Exploration of Beauty and Desire: Contemplate the multifaceted nature of beauty and desire through the life of a captivating protagonist.
Thought-Provoking Themes: Engage with deeper questions about youth, freedom, identity, and the search for meaning in life.
Celeste Dalla Porta's Debut: Witness the arrival of a potentially significant new talent in Celeste Dalla Porta's first film role.
What Movie Trend film is following:
Art House Drama: "Parthenope" aligns with the art house drama trend, characterized by its focus on aesthetic and thematic exploration over conventional narrative structures. Art house dramas often prioritize visual storytelling, complex character studies, and philosophical themes, targeting audiences who appreciate cinematic artistry and intellectual engagement. Sorrentino's film, with its emphasis on beauty, atmosphere, and introspective themes, firmly places itself within this trend.
What Big Social Trend is following:
Female-Centric Narratives and the Re-examination of the "Male Gaze": "Parthenope," while directed by a male filmmaker, centers a female protagonist and explicitly addresses the "male gaze." This aligns with a broader social trend of increasing interest in female-centric narratives and critical re-examination of how women are represented and perceived in media and society. The film's exploration of how Parthenope's beauty shapes her experiences and the perceptions of men around her reflects a contemporary dialogue about female agency, objectification, and identity in a world still heavily influenced by patriarchal structures.
Final Verdict:
"Parthenope" is a visually mesmerizing and thematically ambitious film that showcases Paolo Sorrentino's distinctive artistic vision. While some critics suggest it may prioritize style over narrative depth, its opulent beauty, thought-provoking themes, and Celeste Dalla Porta's captivating performance make it a worthwhile cinematic experience for those who appreciate art house cinema and films that delve into complex aspects of the human condition. It's a film to be savored for its sensory richness and its contemplative exploration of beauty and the mysteries of life, even if it leaves some wanting a more profound emotional connection with its protagonist.
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