Port also actually came home to Africa. The acting is excellent; the scenery phenomenal. Together with some of the best ever desert cinematography rivaling evenLawrence of Arabia, North African music, noises, characters and colors thisfilm is a rich feast for the senses indeed. Thecultural barriers, dissonances, language, the maze of similar streets -everything comes together to create the feeling of utter helplessness Kitexperiences when she tries to get help for the ill Port. The throughout subtle presence ofPaul Bowles adds great melancholy. The desert we all live inunawares.
Kit and George take a train trip. And we all know the moon's light is a reflection of our sun. I love this movie because of the freedom it shows. Port is jealous and follows them catching a ride with the Lyles Jill Bennett, Timothy Spall. Very brilliant parallel but only if you caught it! Some people here seem to think that there's no plot or just a very thin one.
You'll have toconcentrate and pay attention to dig it up. The whole film was for me a long introduction into the silence of myself. That's not to say Bertolucci and his contributors, especially cinematographer Vittorio Storaro, don't deserve a lot of credit for their work. As Winger and Malkovich make their respective ways through the Saharan obstacle course, I wonder what horror is around the next corner. When in delirium his hands dance happily,demanding the music to continue, to push him through and out of thisexistence, Kit is left aside and alone, madness kissing her forehead forthefirst time, unable to stop the approaching avalanche which will sweep overboth of their lives, leaving one dead. Somehowthe sheltering sky reaches into your heart by honestly portraying theemotions of the complexity of loving another human being. I wish I were you watching it for the first timeagain.
The film is nothing if not exotic, presenting some of the purest visions of the desert since Peter O'Toole first rode a camel in 'Lawrence of Arabia'. The sheltering sky will break yourheart and and bring you to life. I started by watching the movie though, without any previous knowledge on the novel, nor on Paul Bowles. Every path is possible when you are not going back to anywhere. Bernardo Bertolucci does not really make fast-paced movies, let's face it.
I started by watching the movie though, without any previous knowledge onthe novel, nor on Paul Bowles. So both works of art since the book is most definitely a work of great art tend to blend together in my mind. About the Book 'The Sheltering Sky is a book about people on the edge of an alien space; somewhere where, curiously, they are never alone' Michael Hoffman. Iwas charmed the first time I saw the film but I fell in love when I saw it asecond time, which was after I'd read the novel. It's hard to understand why this film doesn't get better reviews. If you don't like that or feelthat a movie should just willingly present itself to you, than this is notyour movie.
The characters are exhausting in that they are reckless. The whole film was for me a long introduction into the silence of myself. When in delirium his hands dance happily,demanding the music to continue, to push him through and out of thisexistence, Kit is left aside and alone, madness kissing her forehead forthefirst time, unable to stop the approaching avalanche which will sweep overboth of their lives, leaving one dead. Weather conditions and where you live will limit your full moon count. . If you don't like that or feel that a movie should just willingly present itself to you, than this is not your movie. They put themselves in constant danger.
Some of the professional critics didn't to go down that path. Port and Kit Moresbury, a sophisticated American couple, are finding it more than a little difficult to live with each other. So both works of art since the book is most definitely a workof great art tend to blend together in my mind. I agree that this film is very under rated. When I first saw it on the big screen, I left the theater in a state oftotal despair, because the characters are so miserable. Bertolucci's vision was entertaining and realized well, especially thelead character: the vast Sahara Desert, and exotic ambiance; thecinematography was beautiful. I was impressed by the powerful imagery theater! Surely though it succeeds as well as any film has in painting a cinematicpicture of the experience of being a stranger in a strange land? It's not just about being aimless but there is also a pointlessness about the movie.
The book impressed me greatly, and the film too in other ways. I have to say that the version that was shown at the Chicago Film Festival was about 30 minutes longer than the general release version, and the Laser disc version. The story never really finds an ending, because there isn't anything to resolve: the characters all exist in a handsomely photographed vacuum, and their motivations are even more mysterious than the Arab culture surrounding them. And what a wonderful finalvoice-over, one of the most deep and thought-provoking lines in all themovies. Not having read the book, it's too difficult to me to comment on its truthfulness, however we know that Paul Bowles was cooperating with the screenwriters, it is he who is narrating the film and even appears in a cameo role.
I started by watching the movie though, without any previous knowledge onthe novel, web page nor on Paul Bowles. Please do not read this review if you have not yet seen the film, because I find it necessary to discuss elements of the film which reveal the plot. I have seen this film 3 times. Maybe this means that thefilm doesn't 'make it on its own', but to me that's not a problem. I felt like I was riding along with them on those awful buses. From the famous and truly extraordinary Italian cinematographer, Vittorio Storaro's view, this is a declaration of love to Morocco and its impressive and breathtaking landscapes, culture and nomadic life; a magnificent visual feast and one may even smell all the spices, swatting flies, feel the grit of sand between the teeth, start sweating and get one's blood boiling, not only due to the local heat but also to the carnal sultriness, whilst watching the screen! It's the story about a couple's search for stimulation not only within their fading passion and closeness but also for their creativity and productivity. It allows me to let my mind break too, travelingwith her through the desert, mostly listening to the silent sound of camelsand bells and voices crying out in a strange unknown language.
At some point in the last 100 years. The amount of nudity, though in keeping with thestory, does perhaps hinder its being taken seriously bysome. And if you are, like me, gripped by the movie I can really recommend the novel for more 'in depth'. The beautiful prose of the book is replaced by the beautiful cinematography, web page and wonderful soundtrack. Ultimately the film is worth watching but constantly reminded me of the discrepancy between the two media, which isn't exactly an endearing quality. Synopsis The American artist couple Port and Kit Moresby travel aimlessly through Africa, searching for new experiences that could give sense to their relationship.
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