Rating: 
Summary: Better than 8 1/2!
Review: Although most Fellini fans will point to his "8 1/2" as their favorite of his films, I think that "City Of Women" is just a little bit better. They are both 5s though so I may be splitting hairs! Marcello Mastrioanni plays Fellini's alter ego in both films. In "8 1/2" we see him as a film director surrounded by his usual coterie of Picasso-like faces. He is also contending with his problems as a womanizer as they continue to come in and go out of his life. "City Of Women" goes much further though. It shows that the primary fascination Fellini has with women is bonding to their sex. He clearly is much more attracted to the nature of woman than the nature of man. He revels in their intuitive and instinctual side and the fecund, earth mother basis. Certainly the large part of him that exists as an artist is wholly situated in the sphere inhabited by the female sex. "City of Women" is a surreal, dream-like evocation of this world and Fellini's draw to it. He is, of course, shut out from it though because he is of the male sex and the closest he was ever enfolded within it was when he was a child and mothered there. This was not the huge hit in the USA that "8 1/2" was which is a shame but now you have the chance to make up for its too brief theatrical release in the USA shortly after it was released in 1980. This film was shot in glorious, surreal colors.
Rating: 
Summary: La Strada fan
Review: Beware. If you're looking for another La Strada or Nights of Cabiria (both 5 big stars), City of Women is not it; nor is it 8 1/2 or La Dolce Vita or Juliet of the Spirits (at least 4 stars each). It is a collection of boisterous images that struggle to cohere and that mostly lack the charm of the forementioned screen gems. Even if you're desperate for more Fellini, you may want to avoid this one.
Rating:
Summary: La Strada fan
Review: Beware. If you're looking for another La Strada or Nights of Cabiria (both 5 big stars), City of Women is not it; nor is it 8 1/2 or La Dolce Vita or Juliet of the Spirits (at least 4 stars each). It is a collection of boisterous images that struggle to cohere and that mostly lack the charm of the forementioned screen gems. Even if you're desperate for more Fellini, you may want to avoid this one.
Rating:
Summary: Surreal Fellini Masterpiece
Review: City of Women is a wonderful surreal film. The film itself plays very much like a dream. Each scene falls into the next with no logical purpose, but, like a dream, it does seem to make sense. There is a confusion about the role of feminism and the militant women in them, but it really isn't enough to stop the enjoyment. The visuals are fabulous, as you would expect in a Fellini film, and the music soundtrack seems to be rifs on the opening theme of the song "Mona Lisa." The DVD is impressive as well. The quality of this late 70s film is as good as can be expected, but to see it in widescreen is amazing. The documentaries that accompany the movie are fascinating, if very humorous. In the 20 minute documentary, two film historians and one director (Paul Mazursky) cannot agree on the most important moment in the film, and it is different from the Fellini interview printed in the inner flier. It is a great package all together
Rating:
Summary: Surreal Fellini Masterpiece
Review: City of Women is a wonderful surreal film. The film itself plays very much like a dream. Each scene falls into the next with no logical purpose, but, like a dream, it does seem to make sense. There is a confusion about the role of feminism and the militant women in them, but it really isn't enough to stop the enjoyment. The visuals are fabulous, as you would expect in a Fellini film, and the music soundtrack seems to be rifs on the opening theme of the song "Mona Lisa." The DVD is impressive as well. The quality of this late 70s film is as good as can be expected, but to see it in widescreen is amazing. The documentaries that accompany the movie are fascinating, if very humorous. In the 20 minute documentary, two film historians and one director (Paul Mazursky) cannot agree on the most important moment in the film, and it is different from the Fellini interview printed in the inner flier. It is a great package all together
Rating:
Summary: Great movie, good transfer
Review: City of Women is probably the most complete culmination of Fellini's dreamlike film-language aspirations. The DVD is slightly disappointing because the color saturation is slightly low. Also, I had problems with the dvd because I view on a computer screen. I believe this transfer was made from a tape master: scanline artifacting can be seen here and there and it's a bit distracting. But the image is pretty sharp, and what images...! Also, it's nice to be able to turn off the subtitles for once and watch just those potent, dreamlike, dancelike, painterly images play out before your eyes. They could have done a better job with the transfer, but if you love Fellini this is a must have DVD!
Rating: 
Summary: What a wonderful dream!
Review: City of Women is typical late Fellini fare, full of surrealism, elaborate sets, beautiful colors, gorgeous women and the bare bones of plot and linear structure. We have Marcello Mastroianni (of course) as lothario Snaporaz. After unsuccessfully seducing a woman on a train, he follows her to a hotel in the middle of a forest where a feminist convention is taking place. From that point on, Snaporaz finds himself in one compromising adventure after another. He is tormented by women on roller skates, accosted by a nymphomaniac, chased down by drugged up teenagers and eventually seeks refuge in the castle-like fortress of Dr. Uberkock who is having a party in celebration of his 10,000th sexual conquest.
The women appear lovely and harmless at first until little things set them off with Snaporaz always the target of their aggression. Fellini even goes so far as having many of the women in different scenes growl and grunt in an animalistic manner whether it's sexual or aggressive.
My favorite scene involves the junkie nymphet delinquents. Its plays out like an elaborate 80s music video or a scene from an Argento horror flick. I can't get enough of that great Italian disco track that they play during their joyride.
Fellini's films are pure eye candy, absolute viewing experiences with all sense of cohesion thrown to the wind. City Of Women is no exception. Although it does not always reflect women in a positive light, City of Women truly is a wonderful film and a testament to an absolutely brilliant filmmaker. Fully immerse yourself in this opulent, indulgent film extravaganza and prepare to be mesmerized.
Rating:
Summary: WHAT CAN I SAY - FELLINI+MASTROIANNI
Review: Fellini and Mastroianni... What an unbeatable combination of tallant. This is history.
Rating:
Summary: WHAT CAN I SAY - FELLINI+MASTROIANNI
Review: Fellini and Mastroianni... What an unbeatable combination of tallant. This is history.
Rating:
Summary: A DVD delight for Fellini fans
Review: Fellini fans out there: Don't be put off by negative reviews about this DVD... it's one of the best Fellini movies, and the
DVD anamorphic (16x9) video transfer is just fine! I've had to watch this movie on VHS tape before (and on the PAL standard to boot, which is as good as it gets for VHS tape!) and I can tell you that saying the new DVD transfer is no better -or even worse- than the VHS tape is just poppycock. Viewed with a 16x9 TV, the transfer, while not reference quality, is certainly good enough. I saw none of the artifacts that were mentioned in the other reviews.
So, Fellini fans, get the DVD and enjoy the adventures of Snaporaz!
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