I got reminded how much I love Fellini! It helps that this movie is an inflection point between his grounded, realist stuff and the more out there, LSD and Jung-fueled stuff he did from the 60s onward. It also really helps that Giulietta Masina is one of the best actresses ever.
The story is so loose and rollicking that you almost forget to be crushed by the truly heartbreaking stuff wedged into it. The procession to the altar of the Madonna is particularly miserable. And the ending almost grinds you to dust completely, but stops just short. It’s truly beautiful and profound!

One great lead performance, some gnarly gore, what more could I ask for? I had fun most of the time, some truly corny writing and an overbearing score kept me grounded. But it was sick and deserves the hype.

I think what’s important in this film is the fairness, it shows that there’s good people on both sides of the aisle, and if we all just come together we can resolve our differences and solve the problems facing our society through fair-minded debate and good faith discussion.