Parthenope (2024)

Parthenope is a film with multiple edges, some of them unpolished. The lack of a coherent and precise plot that unites all these facets can make its complexity overwhelming.

Only through careful analysis can one begin to understand and appreciate this film. Impeccably staged and photographed, the story is based on a metaphor for Sorrentino's homeland of Naples, whose ancient name is Parthenope. This is also the name of our protagonist, a captivating young woman growing up in the 1950s.

Over the course of the film, several decades are spent interweaving characters, all fascinated by her beauty, including her brother Raimondo, a disturbing character within this curious family.

During this time, the complexities of love, desire and ambition are explored, presenting a kind of fable around Parthenope.

Actress Celeste Dalla Porta, in her film debut, takes centre stage. It is undeniable that every shot in which she appears is meticulously cared for in order to impress and fascinate the viewer, which highlights her beauty, although the focus is more on form than substance. This makes it clear that a woman with such characteristics can get anything she wants from a man.

The appearance of actors such as Gary Oldman and Stefania Sandrelli is merely symbolic, as their roles are secondary and lack significant relevance.

Through the development of the young woman, an allegory of the city is presented: beautiful and seductive, intriguing and capricious.

The succession of stories, in many cases disjointed and excessive, adds a layer of complexity to the meaning of Naples in Sorrentino's vision, without ever making it clear whether he loves or hates it.

Sorrentino's great achievement is that he manages to perpetuate the seductive atmosphere surrounding Parthenope until the very end.