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Twisted 'Voicee of the Moon' haunts the mind

Sometimes films have meaning and symbolism more intense than what we can easily comprehend during a measly two-hour screening. Instead of taking a film lightly, we have to stretch our minds to understand what the characters are discussing and feeling.

In Italian director Federico Fellini's last film, "The Voice of the Moon," few statements mean less than some powerful and immense notion. The plot has heavy meanings that audiences can hardly take delicately. Its profound story results in a mix of confusion and pleasure.

The film is a stimulating portrayal of the oddities within human nature. It follows a moment in the life of Ivo Salvino (Roberto Benigni), who does not always view life from the same standpoint as the average individual. Having just been released from a mental hospital, Ivo ventures out into the real world, relying on voices from within a well to guide him along his path.

"The Voice of the Moon" focuses on people's longing for those luxuries in life that are not always so easily acquired -- love, happiness and peace within the environment. A central object of focus is the moon; it becomes a never-ending symbol of something we all want to reach, but can never quite attain.

The settings and the scenery for this film represent some of the finest work in the renowned Italian director's career. Fellini creates each scene without using time or geographical references; in this way, he colors the ambiance of an undefined world. Fellini intended to make a film with a peculiar plot and unusual scenery.

While this technique shows cinematic genius, it occasionally weakens the plot; the vagueness of the scenes often leads to confusion. In one landscape, we see Ivo in the midst of the typical Italian environment, complete with soft lighting and a picturesque village. We don't know what year it is, but it doesn't matter because the question never enters our minds. Then, within a few moments, we have a disco with rancid Michael Jackson music polluting the background sounds. It is an unusual time change, if it is even a change at all.

It is all like a very twisted nightmare, and with the subtitles, the story is even harder to fully understand. The characters are a bit crazy, and their bizarre mannerisms make the film seem off the wall.

The presentation of "The Voice of the Moon" is amazing. Aside from Ann Arbor, it is only being shown in three other cities across America. It was first released in Italy in 1990, and is now being shown as part of a retrospective on Academy-Award winning director Fellini.

Italian comedian Benigni does a great job as the lost soul in search of some understanding of a befuddled world. He resembles a clown with his sad eyes and innocent smile; throughout the entire film, his words and thoughts capture our hearts.

The story, however, can catch many audiences off guard. The significance of some of its intricate details complicates the plot. Time reference is a problem because it abruptly changes from classic scenery to a modern perspective.

"The Voice of the Moon" offers a cunning story with a great background. Fellini provides impeccable cinematography and artistic achievement. The deep concepts, however, turn a night at the movies into an extended trip from all realistic perception.