Raise the Hammer
The Great Beauty, given a one-time event April 23 show at Jackson Square, is a cinematographic masterpiece.
By Jonathan Lambert
Published April 28, 2014
The Art Gallery of Hamilton is more than an impressive collection of paintings and sculptures at 123 King Street West. The cinema presented in its film series is absolutely dazzling. The latest example? The Great Beauty, given a one-time event April 23 show at Jackson Square, is a cinematographic masterpiece.
The Great Beauty
Known in Italian as La Grande Bellezza and set entirely in contemporary Rome, the film begins with a fabulously wild party, the 65th birthday celebration for Jep Gambardella, played by Italy's Toni Servillo. Having written a widely successful novel in his twenties, Gambardella retired into a life of social leisure and elite soirees.
Following his 65th birthday, however, a series of encounters and surprises causes him to reflect with greater focus on life, love, and happiness.
The Great Beauty is highly enthralling, in particular when seen on the big screen. Its magnificent cinematography is beyond description, Servillo's performance as the protagonist is spectacular, and the soundtrack that includes the work of David Lang and Arvo Pärt is magic. Il film è meraviglioso. Bravissimi tutti!
The next film presented in the AGH Film Series is Short Term 12, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. The show starts at 7pm on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at Landmark Cinemas 6 Jackson Square.
By Mal (anonymous) | Posted April 28, 2014 at 10:29:30
Dang. I had no idea that was screening. Guess I'll have to rent the BluRay instead.
By Reel Time (anonymous) | Posted April 28, 2014 at 23:45:07
As a frequent flyer commuting the QEW to TIFF, Vega Road or other points east to catch movies of interest, I wholeheartedly support what this series is trying to do. Unfortunately, by the time many features like this show in Hamilton they've often had T.O. rotation and a lot of us, unwilling to wait, have made the trek to see them there. I would love to see a screen, or even two or three, at the Landmark given over to showing films like this in "reel" time, when they first become available and, ideally, for more than just single show or night. While I may be overestimating the audience for fare such as this in the Hammer, I can safely say the AGH misses out on a lot of potential viewers with the lag. I know I'm not the only one who has already gone to Hogtown for films in their series before they get here. That said, I hope they keep up the good work. These films need to be seen. Not every flick needs to be a Marvel.
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