Martin Eden si sforza di superare la sua situazione di miseria e proletariata in un'intensa e appassionata ricerca di autoapprendimento, sperando di trovare un posto nell'élite letteraria.Martin Eden si sforza di superare la sua situazione di miseria e proletariata in un'intensa e appassionata ricerca di autoapprendimento, sperando di trovare un posto nell'élite letteraria.Martin Eden si sforza di superare la sua situazione di miseria e proletariata in un'intensa e appassionata ricerca di autoapprendimento, sperando di trovare un posto nell'élite letteraria.
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- Star
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- 11 vittorie e 53 candidature totali
Recensioni in evidenza
Marcello and screenwriter Maurizio Braucci have adapted Jack London's 1909 story in his robust, populist way to show the proletariat's struggles with the privileged to become educated and accomplished. Placing ambitious Martin in mid-twentieth century allows him to rant against the weaknesses of socialism and collectivism to favor evolutionary individualism.
As in the case of struggling artists everywhere with no formal education and a populace demeaning rugged individualism, Martin's journey to becoming a famous writer begins with patronage of the very class he rails against in his stories. Ironically, the education he lacks can be offered by his lover, Elena (Jessica Cressy), from the upper class. She demands he be a provider and get thoroughly educated. Easy for her to say.
The strength of this story is Martin's belief in his talent and persistence in the face of prejudice against his impoverished background. That Martin becomes more famous for his belief in the individualism of Herbert Spencer's social Darwinism is another block to attaining the respect as a writer he believes he's due.
Martin Eden is luscious with contentious social history and struggles of an artist who rises above his limitations not without the pain and loss that accompany ambition and art. The acting is as realistic as neorealism can allow when actors, not amateurs, play the parts. Actor Marinelli is up to the challenge: While remaining matinee idol in looks, he translates the burden of artistry in troubled times, or any time actually. Martin Eden is a classy European, neorealist experience. Learn about artistry, history, and human dignity.
JIM'S REVIEW: (MILDLY RECOMMENDED) Martin Eden is an artistic muddle of style over substance. Loosely based on Jack London's semi-autobiographical novel, Martin Eden told the story of working class struggles and oppression set in the early 1900's. Director Pietro Marcello has taken that novel and transported that story in place and time: The title character now lives in Italy, although the time frame is purposely confusing. It seems to take place somewhere in the mid-20th century, although the anachronistic fashions and technological devices collide frequently to raise some doubt.
Plot details remain the same as Mr. Marcello follows the same basis premise of the book. A working class man searches for a better life. Doing menial jobs, he yearns for a better education and wants to become a published writer. Martin's ultimate goal is important to him, as he has fallen in love with a rich and pampered upper-class girl from a strictly bourgeois family. Martin meets other figures that spur him into action during his class struggle for success, with tirades against socio-economical injustice and protests about socialism, democracy, unions, and the rights of individuals being freely bantered about throughout the film.
We follow Martin's journey with high interest and remain captivated by the film despite constant cross-cutting of archival footage that adds atmosphere and further confusion. The handling of these jarring images is innovative yet infuriating as it addles the moviegoing audience. Mr. Marcello's vision upends the essential storytelling and overcomplicates his movie with these flourishes. (At one point, I wondered if these cinematic intrusions were a political statement of society's ills, Martin's actual written stories brought to life, or just heavy-handled historical documentations from that century...I still don't know. What I do know is that the overall effect remains jarring and undercuts the narrative.)
Through 2/3 of the film, this reviewer was intrigued with Mr. Marcello's bold approach to the material despite the aforementioned major flaws in his execution. But the last third of the film makes absolutely no sense. Leaps of logic are everywhere. Once the ship literally sinks (and it does), the story bounces ahead to an entirely different Martin, one with dyed blonde shoulder-length hair and rotting front teeth who is cynical about life but still rants against the inequities of wealth and power. The final shot negates everything before it. (Again I wondered if I skipped a reel or two due to the lack of continuity.)
The cast is uniformly strong, especially Luca Marinelli in the title role. His 50's matinee idol good looks create a likable hero and the actor is excellent in his well-defined role. Jessica Cressey makes an attractive love interest, although their relationship is predictable in its conclusion. Adding fine support in their supporting roles are Carmen Pommella and Carlo Cecchi.
All in all, Martin Eden is too artsy for its own good. It forgets its own working class roots. Less artistic license would have delivered a stronger film. Ostentatiousness reigns. When style overrides the story, one questions its real purpose. The film puts on airs that only the bourgeois could love. Martin would have railed against it. (GRADE: C+)
I enjoyed this movie because it had a nice plot and contained many important subjects that were presented with a clever way. It also presented the situation of a country in a certain period of time and how it was affected by some external factors. The interpretations of both Luca Marinelli who played as Martin Eden and Jessica Cressy who played as Elena Orsini were very good and the difference on their characters created a nice gap between them on how they see the world along with their perspective about some subjects. Finally, I have to say that "Martin Eden" is a nice drama movie and I recommend you to watch it because I am sure you will learn something from it.
Lo sapevi?
- QuizShot on Super 16mm.
- Citazioni
Martin Eden: So the world is stronger than me. Against its power I have nothing but myself, which, in any case, is quite something. For as long as I don't let myself get overwhelmed, I am also a force. And my force is fearsome as long as I have the power of my words to counter that of the world. Those who build prisons don't express themselves as well as those who build freedom.
- ConnessioniEdited from Il passaggio della linea (2007)
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Dettagli
- Data di uscita
- Paesi di origine
- Siti ufficiali
- Lingue
- Celebre anche come
- Martín Eden
- Luoghi delle riprese
- La Balzana, Santa Maria La Fossa, Campania, Italia(Martin living in countryside)
- Aziende produttrici
- Vedi altri crediti dell’azienda su IMDbPro
Botteghino
- Budget
- 4.400.000 € (previsto)
- Lordo in tutto il mondo
- 3.132.976 USD
- Tempo di esecuzione2 ore 9 minuti
- Colore
- Proporzioni
- 1.66 : 1