Review of La Nuit

In Millan, Italy, successful author Marcello Mastroianni (as Giovanni Pontano) and his likewise attractive wife Jeanne Moreau (as Lidia) drive past a bulldozer to visit their dying friend Bernhard Wicki (as Tommaso). If you don't sense writer-director Michelangelo Antonioni's death and desolation symbolism immediately, look for it in the faces of Mr. Mastroianni and Ms. Moreau. After ten years, their marriage is seriously on the rocks. The couple attend parties celebrating the publication of Mastroianni's new novel. Restless and bored, Moreau wanders around in the colorless city. Mastroianni follows suit. They give cinematographer Gianni Di Venanzo and Mr. Antonioni locations to beautifully capture on film. Mastroianni flirts with party girl Monica Vitti (as Valentina). Moreau parties with a young playboy. Finally, the drifting co-stars make an attempt to flirt with each other, by which time you likely won't care how the night ends. It sure looks nice, though.

****** La notte (1/24/61) Michelangelo Antonioni ~ Marcello Mastroianni, Jeanne Moreau, Monica Vitti, Bernhard Wicki