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Parthenope

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Parthenope

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Summary

A woman born in the sea of Naples in 1950 searches for happiness over the long summers of her youth, falling in love with her home city and its many memorable characters

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IMDB

Review

A star rating of 3 out of 5.

Steve Morrissey

This characteristically sumptuous drama from Paolo Sorrentino (The Great Beauty) tells the mythical story of a beautiful young woman who wanders through life - mostly on the arm of one handsome man or another - wondering whether this is a curse or blessing. Celeste Dalla Porta doesn't disappoint as the siren-like Parthenope, a woman as smart as she is attractive, and holds the line as Sorrentino spins his usual web of gorgeous imagery, lush camera glides and knowing references around her. There are standout sequences: Peppe Lanzetta as a raddled roué of a cardinal is particularly entertaining, while Gary Oldman enjoys a brief cameo playing the real-life American author John Cheever, who asks Parthenope the key question, "Are you aware of the disruption your beauty causes?" Unfortunately, for all the intelligence with which the film riffs on this theme, the lack of a decent plot becomes frustrating, the relentlessly chilled pace enervating and the sense of Sorrentino parodying himself eventually overwhelming. The film looks a billion dollars, at least.

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6.5/10

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Credits

Crew

rolenameDirectorPaolo Sorrentino

Details

Released on

2025-05-02

Languages

English | Italian

Guidance

Swearing, sex scenes, nudity

Formats

Colour

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