"Three Lives and Only One Death" directed by Raoul Ruiz, was probably a vehicle for Marcello Mastroianni. The film marked the end of the life of one of the greatest actors of all times. A giant among giants, the actor probably sensing his own death played not only one, but three different roles. There are many messages within the story, one of which seems to be pointing to the unification of the single currency not only in France, but in the countries of the European Union, something much in the news these days.
The narrative consists on three stories that are interconnected. Each one shows Mr. Mastroianni at the center of the story. Mr. Ruiz showed his admiration to the surrealists masters of the genre like Luis Bunuel and his followers. As far as the narrative is concerned, the film has an absurdist character in stories that speak about everyday life, played by larger than life characters. The situations do not make sense, although there is a basic story line that is kept throughout the film.
The best excuse for watching the film is to see Marcello Mastroianni in his heavily accented French having a good time playing disparate people. Others in the cast include the actor's daughter, Chiara in the third vignette playing opposite Melvil Poupaud. The first story features Feodor Atkine who meets an unexpected fatal attack. Marisa Paredes, Aurore Dombasle and Anna Galiena also appear as the three women in the main character's life.
The narrative consists on three stories that are interconnected. Each one shows Mr. Mastroianni at the center of the story. Mr. Ruiz showed his admiration to the surrealists masters of the genre like Luis Bunuel and his followers. As far as the narrative is concerned, the film has an absurdist character in stories that speak about everyday life, played by larger than life characters. The situations do not make sense, although there is a basic story line that is kept throughout the film.
The best excuse for watching the film is to see Marcello Mastroianni in his heavily accented French having a good time playing disparate people. Others in the cast include the actor's daughter, Chiara in the third vignette playing opposite Melvil Poupaud. The first story features Feodor Atkine who meets an unexpected fatal attack. Marisa Paredes, Aurore Dombasle and Anna Galiena also appear as the three women in the main character's life.