La Dolce Vita

Maddalena: "Even if you can't do anything else, you certainly know how to enjoy life."


One gets the impression that the life of a tabloid journalist in Rome in the late 1950s is as sweet as profiteroles. At least when you watch Marcello Rubini (Marcello Mastroianni) at work: A quick aperitivo at his favourite café while catching up on the latest gossip on the street, a tête-à-tête with bored aristocrat Maddalena (Anouk Aimée) to get the latest high society info and a p(l)anscherl in the Trevi Fountain with Swedish bombshell star Sylvia (Anita Ekberg) so that you're not only the first to hear about and report on the actress's possible relationship ending, but perhaps even hasten it yourself. Oh Marcello, what a life.

If it weren't for the smaller obstacles that make everyday life more difficult, such as the other beauties buzzing around at night or unspeakable celebrities threatening to sue and slap. Not to mention the somewhat more serious difficulties such as his own broken relationship, estrangement from his father, inner emptiness or general world-weariness. Oh Marcello, what a life...