The Great Beauty

The Great Beauty

Year: 2013

Runtime: 142 min

Language: Italian

Director: Paolo Sorrentino

DramaComedy

A writer in his sixties, disillusioned with the superficiality of Rome’s high society, reflects on his life and lost potential. Surrounded by extravagant parties and fleeting connections, he searches for meaning and beauty, confronting painful memories of his younger years and the vibrant artistic aspirations he abandoned. He finds himself grappling with regret and the ephemeral nature of youth and beauty.

Melancholic
Bittersweet ending
Emotionally heavy
Medium intensity
Slow pacing
Moderate complexity

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Timeline & Setting – The Great Beauty (2013)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Great Beauty (2013). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The film unfolds in contemporary times, exploring themes of existentialism and social critique, reflecting a modern society grappling with superficiality and the pursuit of meaning in personal relationships. This period is marked by a continual quest for true connection amidst the chaos of opulence and loss.

Location

Rome, Giglio Island, Third World

Rome serves as a vibrant yet superficial backdrop for Jep Gambardella's life, known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and opulent social scene. Giglio Island, a significant location related to Jep's introspection, is infamous for the wreckage of the *Costa Concordia*, symbolizing a mix of beauty and tragedy. The Third World represents the broader, often stark realities of life that contrast sharply with Jep's previous superficial existence.

🏛️ City 🏝️ Island 🌍 Global

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:34

Main Characters – The Great Beauty (2013)

Meet the key characters of The Great Beauty (2013), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jep Gambardella

Jep is a 65-year-old journalist known for his insightful critiques of society. He embodies both charm and a profound sense of loss, grappling with the realization that his life has been consumed by superficiality. As he confronts his past and relationships, he seeks to rediscover his passion for writing, making him a deeply reflective character.

🖊️ Writer 🎭 Critic 🌆 City Dweller

Romano

Romano is a playwright often swayed by his younger partner, showcasing the vulnerabilities of artistic souls. His character represents the struggle between ambition and personal fulfillment, as he ultimately seeks meaning beyond the superficial social circle that surrounds him.

🎭 Playwright 😔 Vulnerable 🔄 Changing

Viola

Viola is a wealthy woman who struggles with the turmoil of her mentally ill son. Her character highlights the challenges of motherhood and the weight of societal expectations, ultimately leading her to devote her life to missionary work after suffering significant personal loss.

👩‍👦 Mother ✝️ Devoted 🌍 Altruistic

Ramona

Ramona is a stripper whose dark secrets paint a complex portrait of survival and the hidden depths of her character. Her relationship with Jep reveals the layers of human connection that exist beneath surface interactions, ultimately ending tragically.

💃 Stripper 🌑 Complex 🕊️ Tragic

Cardinal Bellucci

Cardinal Bellucci is a religious figure whose passion for culinary arts starkly contrasts his clerical duties. He represents the duality of life, depicting how personal passions can coexist with societal roles while navigating morality and desire.

⛪ Religious 🍳 Chef 💔 Conflicted

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:34

Major Themes – The Great Beauty (2013)

Explore the central themes of The Great Beauty (2013), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🪞 Self-Reflection

The theme of self-reflection is central to Jep's journey, as he confronts the reality of his life choices and relationships. His introspection, triggered by loss and memories, drives him to reconsider his past and the superficiality that has defined his existence. Ultimately, this quest for meaning leads him to seek a renewed purpose through writing.

💔 Love and Loss

Love and loss play a poignant role in the narrative, as Jep navigates the pain of his past relationships. The news of Elisa’s death forces him to confront the unresolved feelings and memories that linger, leading to moments of melancholy and a desperate search for connection. This theme underscores the fragility of life and the importance of authentic bonds.

🌊 Existential Quest

The existential quest theme is prevalent as Jep grapples with feelings of futility and the search for deeper meaning beyond superficial social interactions. His journey through grief and self-exploration illustrates the human condition's complexities, ultimately culminating in an opportunity that reignites his passion for writing.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:34

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about life reflections like The Great Beauty

Stories about characters looking back on their lives with a mix of regret and acceptance.Find movies like The Great Beauty that explore themes of retrospection and existential searching. These similar dramas feature characters in midlife or later, grappling with regret and the search for meaning in a life that feels superficially lived.

introspectivenostalgicelegiacregretfuldisillusionedatmosphericphilosophical

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread are typically character-driven and reflective, unfolding through memory and present-day contemplation rather than high-stakes action. The protagonist's journey is internal, marked by encounters that trigger nostalgia and force a confrontation with past choices, leading to a bittersweet or melancholic resolution.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on a late-life existential crisis, a melancholic and reflective tone, and a slow, deliberate pacing that allows for deep introspection. They all feature a heavy emotional weight stemming from themes of lost potential and the passage of time.

Movies about opulent decay like The Great Beauty

Films set in a world of lavish beauty that masks spiritual emptiness and decay.Explore movies like The Great Beauty that use a stunning, lavish setting to critique the emptiness of high society. These films share a visual richness that contrasts with themes of superficiality, existential search, and the ephemeral nature of beauty.

atmosphericdisillusioneddecadentvisually stunningcriticalsuperficialelegiac

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist who is either a part of or an observer to a glamorous but hollow world. The plot unfolds through social rituals, parties, and artistic pursuits that ultimately reveal a deep sense of futility. The story is often a slow-burn character study where the environment itself is a central antagonist.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their specific vibe: a juxtaposition of breathtaking visual beauty with themes of spiritual decay. They share a melancholic tone, a slow, atmospheric pacing that drinks in the setting, and a focus on characters disillusioned by the world they inhabit.

Unlock the Full Story of The Great Beauty

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Great Beauty in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Great Beauty is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Great Beauty Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Great Beauty, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Great Beauty Summary

The Great Beauty Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Great Beauty with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Great Beauty Timeline

The Great Beauty Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Great Beauty Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Great Beauty

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The Great Beauty (2013) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

The Great Beauty (2013) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

The Great Beauty (2013) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow