[FILM REVIEW] PARTHENOPE Review (2024)
Summary: Parthenope is a woman who bears the name of her city. Is she a siren or a myth?
Year: 2024
Cinema Release Dates: 26th December 2024 (Australia), TBA (Thailand), TBA (UK), 7th February 2025 (USA)
VOD Release Dates: TBA
Country: Italy, France
Director: Paolo Sorrentino
Screenwriter: Paolo Sorrentino
Cast: Dario Aita (Sandrino), Francesco Romana Bergamo (Madre Sandrino), Silvia Degrandi (Maggie), Isabella Ferrari (Flora Malva), Lorenzo Gleijeses (Sasa), Marlon Joubert (Roberto Criscuolo), Pepe Lanzetta (Vescovo), Paolo Mazzarelli (Lui), Daphne Morelli (Alba Nardella), Gary Oldman (John Cheever), Silvio Orlando (Devoto Marotta), Alessandro Paniccia (Stefano), Celeste Dalla Porta (Parthenope giovane), Luisa Ranieri (Greta Cool), Daniele Rienzo (Raimondo), Stefania Sandrelli (Parenthope adulta)
Running Time: 136 minutes
Classification: TBC (Australia), TBC (Thailand), TBC (UK), R (USA)
OUR PARTHENOPE REVIEWS
David Griffiths and Kyle McGrath’s Parethenope Review
Dave’s rating Out Of 5
Kyle’s rating Out Of 5
Alex First’s Parethenope Review
Beauty, love and life are on show in Parthenope, the name of a very attractive woman.
Parthenope (Celeste Dalla Porta) was born in the Mediterranean Sea, near the Bay of Naples, in 1950.
The movie charts her path over the next 73 years. Much of it is set when Parthenope is young, with the world at her feet.
Parthenope was named by her family’s rich benefactor, a shipping baron known as the Commandante (Alfonso Postiglione).
The nomenclature is drawn from the Greek siren associated with the foundation of what became modern-day Naples.
The Commandante immediately recognises her cheeky side.
She grows to become one of the most beautiful women on the planet.
She can have any man she wants, when and where she wants … and they swarm.
The moment they set eyes upon her, they (young and old alike) are besotted. That starts with her first love, Sandrino (Dario Aita)
Parthenope is no vacuous beauty though. She is, in fact, very intelligent.
Well read, she is studying anthropology at university.
She has an older, fragile brother, Raimondo (Daniele Rienzo), who looks out for her and to whom she feels very close.
On a quick trip with Sandrino and Raimondo, she meets one of her literary heroes, the author John Cheever (Gary Oldman), who is perpetually drunk.
He is one of several significant figures that enter and exit her life.
Parthenope toys with the idea of becoming an actress.
She is introduced to a couple of big names in the business, Flora Malva (Isabella Ferrari) and Greta Cool (Luisa Ranieri), who have their own peccadilloes.
But ultimately it is anthropology and an august professor, Devoto Marotta (Silvio Orlando), to whom she is drawn in her academic pursuits.
Still others come in and out of her orbit.
These include a highly regarded local official, Roberto Criscuolo (Marlon Joubert), who takes her outside her comfort zone.
So, too, seductive priest Vescovo (Peppe Lanzetta).
In fact, Parthenope’s life is peppered with a series of memorable encounters.
But her carefree attitude and that of her hitherto bohemian parents is deeply affected by a tragic incident.
Parthenope is a film about finding happiness and fulfilment.
Not only is Parthenope, the woman, stunning, but so too the look and feel of the film.
In a breakout performance, Celeste Dalla Porta inhabits the lead role like a second skin. She is an enigma, driven to achieve, but not to be tied down.
The film’s strength also comes from the other characters with whom she interacts and there are a few surprises.
Writer and director Paolo Sorrentino is not afraid to shock, with more than the odd controversial scene.
But beneath the drama and heartache, Sorrentino does for Naples, Capri and the Amalfi Coast what The Great Beauty did for Rome.
Cinematographer Daria D’Antonio (The Hand of God) has ensured the imagery resonates deeply throughout. In fact, it is tourism dream.
I greatly appreciated the poetic feel of the offering through the uneasy mix of commerce, religion, crime and class.
What I couldn’t stand was the incessant smoking featured in the picture. Barely a figure was without a ciggie in their mouth through the first half to three quarters of the film. Was that really necessary? I say “no”!
Alex’s rating Out Of 5
Average Subculture rating Out Of 5
Other Parenthope Reviews
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Trailer: