Well, weeks later, after briefly believing the DVD to be lost, I finally got around to watching The White Sheik this afternoon. And I’m flying. This film was a deeply, deeply pleasurable experience.
Briefly, the film was about a couple on their honeymoon in Rome. Ivan, the husband, has the trip planned to the smallest detail, with sightseeing, family members, and an all-important meeting with the friggin’ pope! Wanda, his new bride, feels overwhelmed and frightened by all this, so she chooses to run off and meet her hero, Fernando Rivoli, AKA The White Sheik. She doesn’t intend to be gone long but, *gasp*, things get out of hand quickly.
Now I haven’t seen all that much Fellini (La Strada, Satyricon, half of 8 ½, about 20 minutes of Amarcord), so I don’t know how this fits into his filmography exactly, but I was surprised by the cheerfulness of the film. It’s like The Purple Rose of Cairo if Woody Allen wouldn’t have been such a downbeat, pessimistic son-of-a-bitch. Like that film, The White Sheik (Lo Sceicco bianco) seems to be primarily about the nature of illusion; namely, that illusion is awesome, but it’s just that: illusion. Unlike the aforementioned Woody picture, it uses that fact not to emphasize the pain and despair and hopelessness (Geez, Woody) of real life, but to argue that maybe, just maybe, our illusions have left us blind and our lives are a lot better than we think. La Strada this ain’t. (On the other hand, I suppose one could easily have a more pessimistic reading of the ending. But I don't know, I left feeling good for the characters...I don't know. In other words, it's a good ending!).
Most importantly, the movie was just funny, funny, funny, with great performances all around (especially by Leopoldo Trieste, as the jilted husband…he killed me and, luckily, he had a lot of screen time). Giulietta Masina shows up for a scene as Cabiria, adds a special glow to the film, and leaves just as quickly. As a result, Dolce, I’ll be catching Nights of Cabiria very fucking soon.
Technically, the film was what you’d expect, with Rome cinematography that screams “Fellini†from every pore, and the accompanying Nino Rota score.
I imagine it’s a minor work is the Fellini canon, but man, all ‘minor works’ should give me the high this one did. This underrated, underseen picture (not even by dolcevita!) is highly, highly recommended.
Now, in the sense of true Hannity & Colmes bi-partisanship (teehee), I present an imdb review I just found as counterpoint:
Asshole on Imdb...believe it or not, they exist! wrote: I recently viewed this movie and was left in awe at the sheer awfulness that this film portrayed. You would actually have to compliment the writers for making such a disgusting film, because to my knowledge no being who had any semblence of dignity could be capable of making such a horrible movie. Translations from the attempt at italian in this movie were terrible. In conclusion, avoid this film at all costs.
I realize opinions vary, but this review bears no similarity to what I just watched. Honestly, I think he posted for the wrong movie. 'Disgusting?' That can't even begin to apply to this thing, in any universe.
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I promise I will watch it within 7 days. I promise.