Look at that pouty face, if I didn’t know that was Sandra Milo I would swear it was Bibi.

Next up is Carla, Guido’s mistress and I looked at this one from two different perspectives. First, I looked at it as if I could cast it with any actress from any era, and if that were the case I would quickly snatch up Bergman’s beauty Bibi Andersson. The primary reason I thought of her is due to the first time we meet Carla and how she pouts and complains about the description of the hotel Guido gives her. The imagery alone instantly made me think of Andersson, an actress that was not only gorgeous, but also very talented. However, if I am talking remake I better get someone that fits the part and seeing how the role is built for a full figured actress, not some skinny waif, and an actress that exudes sex appeal I instantly thought of Monica Bellucci. Bellucci has, at times, shown some serious acting talent and the sexy, pouting seductress that is Carla would be a perfect fit for her talents.

Ah, Claudia… She emerges as if out of the darkness and into the light. Claudia Cardinale’s performance of her is fantastic as are the scenes she is in.

Now we come to our third female role, it’s a small one, but an important one. The role of Claudia, the woman Guido goes to at the end of the film in his time of need as he continues to search for inspiration. This is a role that must also be filled by a very sexy actress and one that exudes sex appeal, not an actress that appeals to the lust side of men. She must be able to grab you with her eyes and her ability to move. I also looked at this role from a historical perspective and think Elizabeth Taylor in her prime would have been fantastic coming out of the shadows for the late film reveal. However, if we are going to make this tomorrow we all know Liz ain’t fillin’ the bill. Instead my mind went to Catherine Zeta-Jones. If anyone dare say Catherine isn’t sexy and doesn’t speak to that special side of you then you must be crazy, and as far as acting goes I think an Oscar-winner is a nice addition.

Guido’s tap dance scene in the hotel leading to his lobby “dance” is one of the best you will see. Go to the 3:15 mark on this video to check it out.

Now, the biggie. Guido. Who will carry this film for us? This is a character that must also carry a certain amount of sex appeal. You must also be able to believe him to be a film director and he, above all else, must be a killer actor. A few names bubbled to the top for me when I started thinking about this. Names such as Johnny Depp, Adrien Brody and George Clooney. I am not sure Brody has all the necessary sex appeal needed, Clooney I think is too old, and Depp would have worked had I not thought of the ultimate actor to take over the role… Robert Downey Jr. Oh man, the fantasy scenes? The tap dance through the hotel lobby? Downey would kill this role! He would also be able to give it a different performance than Mastroianni did, not so much that it changes the film, but enough to make it his own.

Finally, the director. This is a tough one considering 8½ was such a personal film to Fellini. I actually think a director like Terry Gilliam or David Lynch would probably nail it from that perspective and also bring a wildly interesting twist to the storyline. However, my director is a little less well known, but based on his most recent feature alone (I’m Not There) I think Todd Haynes would add the emotion and depth necessary to tell this story once again. I also think he has the ability to give it the unique stylings that both Gilliam and Lynch would bring - albeit all three would be drastically different and equally unique. However, if Haynes isn’t available I’ll take Lynch or Gilliam in a second.

Now, am I sure many of you know this film is actually being remade right now by Rob Marshall (Chicago), but he is making it based on the stage musical adaptation. The film is called Nine and Marshall has brought on Javier Bardem to play Guido, Marion Cotillard as Luisa and Penelope Cruz as Carla. I don’t personally like Bardem for the role of Guido, but Cotillard was another name I considered for Luisa actually and think is a very good choice, as is Cruz as Carla. Sophia Loren is supposedly going to play Guido’s mother. The greatest thing about this story is that while it was originally made in Italian, by an Italian filmmaker, that doesn’t mean the roles need to be restricted to any one nationality.

Marshall’s musical was supposed to begin filming in March, but I believe the writers’ strike pushed the production date to Fall 2008. I hope it nails the mood and emotion of Fellini’s flick or I am still going to be calling for a remake.

No matter what, this is a film I recommend you see. It is filled with just about everything needed for a great film. The mix of fantasy and reality and the ambiguous transition between the two keeps an audience member on their toes. I never thought I would live to see the day I wanted an English dub of a foreign film, or complain about reading subtitles, but 8½ was so good I really would like to make sure I was able to pay as much attention to the characters on the screen as I am the words scrolling along the bottom.

If you haven’t seen it I definitely recommend you check it out, but make sure to set some time aside for it because it is not the easiest film to get into, but if you watch it with a group of film-loving friends you should have plenty to discuss once the film is over.

Now, let me leave you with a great scene from the film in which Guido gives a quote that can really set your mind spinning, “I have nothing at all to say but I want to say it anyway.” Okay, maybe you need to see the movie before it really hits home, but check out this scene with Guido anyway.

Related post categories: Cinematic Revival, Features : Federico Fellini's 8½

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