Michaelangelo Antonioni is a polarising director and it is easy to see as to why that is the case. His directing style is unique, his themes are fascinating and there are many transfixing moments in his films (some amazing final shots and unforgettable endings for instance). His style and some of his films understandably perplex and alienate others, will admit to not liking all of his films when familiarising myself with him relatively recently and do feel that a few of his films do have what he can be criticised for (ambiguity and self-indulgence being common criticisms).
Personally more appreciate Antonioni and his style than love him, but really like to love most of his films, my personal favourite being 'La Notte'. With a few exceptions like 'Blow-Up' and particularly 'Zabriskie Point' leaving me indifferent. 'Il Grido' is from the period where he was making a good deal of interesting and generally films, before he properly hit his stride with the film that put him properly on the map 'L'avventura'. It may not be one of his best films or one of the best from this period because it is a well above average film that is definitely worth seeing, particularly if you have just gotten familiar with Antonioni and are aiming to see as many films of his as possible.
'Il Grido' occasionally meanders in the pacing and at times it's a touch melodramatic.
Steve Cochran's acting limitations can show here, though he is certainly not what one calls amateurish.
However, 'Il Grido', as always with Antonioni, looks great. Perhaps not exquisite, but the bleakness shown in the photography is remarkably vivid and still looks striking. The setting is simple but has a lot of atmosphere and the vivid photography really enhances it and makes it much more interesting than it could have been. The music score is haunting and sombre, adding enormously to the bleakness and emotion of the story and not being discordant with it. Did think that the dialogue avoided rambling and doesn't over-explain, like some later Antonioni films did.
Antonioni's direction is committed and doesn't come over as ostentatious, heavy-handed or trying too hard. The story is a familiar theme for Antonioni and has admittedly been done with more depth and insight elsewhere, but that doesn't stop 'Il Grido' from being quite intriguing and affecting. The story has more clarity too than other Antonioni films, do think that this is one of his more accessible films, and while the characters are not complex they aren't shallow either. Reservations with Cochran aside, the acting is good and it was an interesting line-up of actors in most likely a way to generate a wider audience.
Overall, good but not great. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Personally more appreciate Antonioni and his style than love him, but really like to love most of his films, my personal favourite being 'La Notte'. With a few exceptions like 'Blow-Up' and particularly 'Zabriskie Point' leaving me indifferent. 'Il Grido' is from the period where he was making a good deal of interesting and generally films, before he properly hit his stride with the film that put him properly on the map 'L'avventura'. It may not be one of his best films or one of the best from this period because it is a well above average film that is definitely worth seeing, particularly if you have just gotten familiar with Antonioni and are aiming to see as many films of his as possible.
'Il Grido' occasionally meanders in the pacing and at times it's a touch melodramatic.
Steve Cochran's acting limitations can show here, though he is certainly not what one calls amateurish.
However, 'Il Grido', as always with Antonioni, looks great. Perhaps not exquisite, but the bleakness shown in the photography is remarkably vivid and still looks striking. The setting is simple but has a lot of atmosphere and the vivid photography really enhances it and makes it much more interesting than it could have been. The music score is haunting and sombre, adding enormously to the bleakness and emotion of the story and not being discordant with it. Did think that the dialogue avoided rambling and doesn't over-explain, like some later Antonioni films did.
Antonioni's direction is committed and doesn't come over as ostentatious, heavy-handed or trying too hard. The story is a familiar theme for Antonioni and has admittedly been done with more depth and insight elsewhere, but that doesn't stop 'Il Grido' from being quite intriguing and affecting. The story has more clarity too than other Antonioni films, do think that this is one of his more accessible films, and while the characters are not complex they aren't shallow either. Reservations with Cochran aside, the acting is good and it was an interesting line-up of actors in most likely a way to generate a wider audience.
Overall, good but not great. 7/10 Bethany Cox