A selection of ten exquisite films about a beautiful life for those who appreciate not only a twisted plot, but also aesthetics.
The Great Beauty (2013)
Many who managed to watch the film “The Great Beauty” note that in most aspects it is a kind of remake of Fellini’s “La Dolce Vita.” Just as the great master did in his time, Paolo Sorrentino talks about the bohemia of the Italian capital, ridiculing its ugliness and kitsch, which do not give an outlet to genuine culture.
In his film, the director sculpts a kind of fresco, divided into a great many pictures and characters personifying the rotten decadence of modern Rome. The film begins with a noisy and rather drawn-out party on the terrace of a luxurious house where the main character, successful journalist Jep Gambardella, lives. In the center of a loud and ridiculous party, generously seasoned with cutting-edge beats, he observes the decay and decline of that very bourgeoisie, which is a bunch of empty people who are trying to prove to the world their exorbitant importance.
Saint Laurent (2014)
The film takes place in the late 60s of the twentieth century and tells the story of the young couturier Yves Saint Laurent, who was already at the very top of his fame. The era of constant parties, full of free love and drug experiments, long work at the Dior fashion house and backbreaking work on the path to fame are already behind us.
Now the famous couturier heads his own fashion house, where he works all day and night, creating his masterpieces. His clothes are worn not only in France – he dresses the whole world, and a huge crowd of people gathers at his shows, in which only the most famous models take part. However, the fashion designer himself is experiencing a mental crisis.
The Great Gatsby (2013)
Everyone has heard about the mysterious Mr. Gatsby, but no one has seen him. They worshiped him, and during the day at tables in restaurants they casually mentioned knowing him.
And in the thick of this, young, inexperienced and naive Nick Carraway finds himself in the thick of it. A Yale University graduate who settles in a small house on Long Island, next to Jay Gatsby’s luxurious villa.
Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
The action of Wes Anderson’s crime comedy takes place in the first half of the 20th century, somewhere at the turn between the First and Second World Wars. A young guy named Mustafa gets a job at one of the most famous old lady hotels in Europe called the Grand Budapest. He is incredibly happy about this, because he has long dreamed of such a prestigious and honorable job.
The legendary concierge Gustav becomes his teacher and mentor, because of whom many people visit this hotel. When getting a job at the Grand Budapest, Mustafa could not even imagine how much he would experience here.
Phantom Thread (2017)
The main character of the film is a fashion designer with a difficult character, who is invited to London and begins to work on creating clothes for members of the royal family, members of the aristocracy and the capital’s elite.
However, the fashion designer is unable to fully devote himself to the creative process, since he does not communicate well with those around the fashion industry of the 50s. Soon after meeting his new muse, Alma, the popular couturier begins to notice how his life is being destroyed.
In the Mood for Love (2009)
Su and Chow simultaneously move into two adjacent rooms of the apartment building. Their spouses are constantly late at work. The guy and the girl are often bored alone, but soon friendship begins between them.
They communicate a lot and share thoughts about the fidelity of their spouses. Over time, Su and Chou become closer and their friendship develops into romance. They convince themselves that things will be different for them than for their spouses. Time will tell everything and dot the i’s.
Single Man (2009)
The film takes place in Los Angeles in 1962. George Falconer, a college English teacher, is finding it increasingly difficult to cope with life. His lover Jim died in a car accident. The man decides to get his affairs in order before he takes his own life tonight. As he prepares, the professor reminisces about his time with Jim.
A man spends his last day with different people. Spanish immigrant Carlos, Charlie, his best friend from England. And also Kenny Potter, who seems to be interested in his professor beyond English class.
Youth (2015)
Fred, a renowned composer and conductor who defies Her Majesty’s requests, refuses to perform at Prince Philip’s birthday party, and for good reason. Mick, an Oscar-winning director, is working on a new “revelation film” script, but things aren’t going well. Fred and Mick have been friends for half a century, making fun of each other, marveling at the beauty and injustice of this world.
A complete misanthrope and a cheerful romantic – they both grew old, and they themselves did not notice how it happened. It’s time to take stock, draw conclusions, and think about the meaning of life. Old friends spending this summer
t in an Alpine resort, where the love experiences of already adult children, accidentally spied dramas and revelations of the distant past will determine their future fate.
Restless (2011)
A guy named Inok is having a hard time with the death of his parents, plays naval battle with the ghost of a Japanese kamikaze pilot, and regularly attends strangers’ funerals.
At one of the farewells, he meets a persistent girl, Annabelle, who at first lies that she works as a volunteer in a hospital for children with cancer, but soon admits that she is actually dying of cancer herself. The monk decides to help his beloved prepare for the inevitable.
Leopard (1962)
The manuscript, found by chance in the desk drawer of the deceased literary critic di Lampedusa, became famous throughout the country, finding itself in the right place at the right time. The chronicle of an ancient aristocratic family, originating from the Byzantine Emperor Tiberius, and fading away against the background of the heroic struggle of the Garibaldians, is a vivid illustration of the history of Italy.
Prince Salina, the head of the Leopard clan, and his nephew Tancredi have different attitudes towards material values and the events taking place around them. They symbolize different eras. The uselessness of the main character in the new world is the main tragedy of the film; there is no country in the world where, at the turn of the times, there would not be such people.