Kino immer anders
La Notte paints the emotional turmoil of a failing marriage. Giovanni is a respected writer. Despite his enviable career, he finds himself unsatisfied in his work. Lidia, his wife, is increasingly struggling to justify her own place in the world, feeling trapped in her marriage. A hospital visit to a dying friend prompts them to reconsider their mortal existence. He copes with it by turning a blind eye to his crumbling relationship, engaging in frivolous flirtations, while she internalizes her despair. Their boredom drives them to roam through the highs and lows of Milan – but they always fall back on each other, each time growing more disenchanted with the complacency of their routine.
The beauty of La Notte lies not in the intricacy of the plot, but in the ambience, the eloquence of the dialogue and the sleekness of the black-and-white visuals. The cynicism of the characters is not only a reflection on relationships, but also on the impermanence of existence in the modern world.
Emilie Rolland-Piègue
