A FINE PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST IN `MARCELLO'.Byline: Lawrence Van Gelder Lawrence Van Gelder is an American journalist and instructor in journalism who has worked at several different New York City-based newspapers in his long career. He is currently a senior editor of the Arts and Leisure weekly section of The New York Times. The New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of Times ``When I was young, life seemed long and endless to me,'' the elderly man says. His name is Marcello Mastroianni, and his life ended on Dec. 19, 1996, at the age of 72. But there is a fine and loving memorial that preserves his charm, his intellect and his splendid body of work. Titled ``Marcello Mastroianni: I Remember,'' this documentary is the work of Anna Maria Tato, the actor's companion in his final 22 years. Part travelogue, part biography, part philosophical rumination rumination /ru·mi·na·tion/ (roo?mi-na´shun) 1. the casting up of the food to be chewed thoroughly a second time, as in cattle. 2. on cinema and the actor's art, this long and loving film renders a splendid portrait of a man who entered his profession as a child, honed his craft on the stage and made more than 170 films, among them Fellini's ``Dolce dol·ce Music adv. & adj. In a gentle and sweet manner. Used chiefly as a direction. [From Italian, sweet, from Latin dulcis.] Adv. 1. Vita'' and ``8-1/2,'' Ettore Scola's ``Special Day,'' De Sica's ``Marriage, Italian Style'' and Nikita Mikhalkov's ``Dark Eyes DARK EYES USN Electronic Warfare System .'' His last, Manoel de Oliviera's ``Voyage to the Beginning of the World,'' provides ``Marcello'' with its framework. While making that film, the actor is seen traveling through Portugal by car or floating leisurely aboard a boat on a river that is almost a metaphor for life. There and at other locations, the man who once intended to become an architect reveals an irrepressibly ir·re·press·i·ble adj. Difficult or impossible to control or restrain: irrepressible laughter. ir comic outlook as he reminisces about his career, recalls the great directors he worked with, tells funny stories about his family, heaps scorn on television, distances himself from Method acting (``Why all this suffering and torment?'') and floats some of his unrealized dream projects (playing an elderly Tarzan). ``Marcello'' is filled with clips from the actor's movies, including some hilariously awful ones (``only saints and heroes never make mistakes''). ``Marcello'' whets the appetite to see the remarkable actor's great films once more. This rich, funny documentary shows how the art of the cinema is impoverished by his loss. THE FACTS The film: ``Marcello Mastroianni: I Remember'' (not rated). Behind the scenes: Directed by Anna Maria Tato. In Italian with English subtitles. Released by First Look Pictures. Running time: Three hours, 15 minutes. Playing: Laemmle Music Hall in Beverly Hills Beverly Hills, city (1990 pop. 31,971), Los Angeles co., S Calif., completely surrounded by the city of Los Angeles; inc. 1914. The largely residential city is home to many motion-picture and television personalities. . Our rating: Three stars. |
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