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Displaying all 10 wall posts
dinoage
4Apr11
Rossellini's structure and camera are perfect, while his subject is lacking. St Francis, a sincerly sensitive man refuses to do what he preaches. Asleep, he scorns his followers not to be idle and claims he is the most humble. He doesn't understand why a leper and homeowner rejects him, therefore calling them "evil." The real hero here is Brother Ginepro- a man who's real unselfishness ends a tyrants siege.
Antoine Tremblay
10Nov10
Captures beauty and punch you in the face with it, extremely beautiful and sincere. One of the greats and a film that cannot be forgotten even by the haters.
Zachary George Najarian-Najafi
10Oct10
Let's say it wasn't as profound or transcendental as promised, and as my third Rossellini film after Rome, Open City and Voyage in Italy it was a bit of a let-down. Visually it's a beautiful film, and some segments are amazing, but as a whole it just feels average and unexciting.
CriterionRefs
4Dec09
The essence of Franciscan spirituality that Rossellini sought to convey was how it blended a deep and heartfelt humility with self-effacing silliness. To read my full write-up on The Flowers of St. Francis: http://criterionreflections.blogspot.com/2009/12/flowers-of-st-francis-1950-293.html
Daniel S.
3Dec09
It’s always intimidating to give an opinion about a film praised by so eminent filmmakers and critics : “The Most Beautiful Film of the World” wrote Truffaut for instance. What can I say after that ? I never had the opportunity to watch this film until recently, partly because I’m not particularly interested in Roberto Rossellini (I prefer Fellini, Visconti, Scola or Comencini), partly because Francesco, giullare di Dio wasn’t available for years. The film turns out to belong to the Realist genre, with the exception of the scene with Aldo Fabrizi. Numerous scenes may also be seen as belonging to the Comedy genre. No lyricism here nor scenes sanctifying Francesco’s actions. Francesco is an inspired man filmed by a camera ignoring that he will become a Saint. That’s the secret of Francesco, giullare di Dio. In short, I liked this film. But I also like hundreds of other movies.
Martin Scorsese
17Jul09
I’ve never seen the life of a saint treated on film with so little solemnity and so much warmth.
jeffreyreeser and 6 others like this
auwri, Alexander Robino, Christopher Connell, marco, Siddiquo, Christopher Newman