Senso

Senso is an epic romantic drama film released in 1954, directed by Luchino Visconti and starring Farley Granger, Alida Valli, and Massimo Girotti. This cinematic masterpiece is based on the novella "Senso" by Camillo Boito. Set against the backdrop of the Italian-Austrian war of unification in the 1860s, the film is a sentimental journey as well as an era's historical depiction imbued with the richness of its socio-political milieu.

Senso opens with color-splashed opulence in a La Fenice opera house in Venice, under Austria's rule, where Italian nationalists, including the Countess Serpieri (Alida Valli), are agitating for unification. Among the aristocrats present, Livia, the Countess Serpieri, stands out immediately, as a figure of strength and elegance. She is married, but her husband is largely out of the picture, rendering her quite lonely in her upper-crust world primarily filled with dull politicking.

The story takes a turn when the hauntingly beautiful Countess Serpieri encounters a younger, handsome Lieutenant Franz Mahler (played by Farley Granger) of the Austrian army. Despite Franz's brash behavior with an Italian civilian at the opera, Livia finds herself entranced by his disarming charm. Thus, sparks the flame of an intense yet ill-fated love affair, set amidst the turmoil of the political unrest flaring around them.

The character dynamics are complex and fascinating. Countess Livia is a staunch Italian nationalist, yet she succumbs to her passion for Lieutenant Franz, whose loyalty lies with the Austrian enemy. With a poetic narrative exploring love, betrayal, and patriotism, Senso addresses an internal conflict within Livia, torn between her devotion to the cause of Italian unification and her uncontrollable attraction towards Franz.

Franz, played by Farley Granger, is a lesser noble and an opportunist. His character is an alarming mix of brutality and seductiveness, which leaves an indelible impression. The performances by Alida Valli and Farley Grange are stellar; they breathe life and intense hope into their characters, making the audience sway with their joys, sorrows and doomed love affair.

The film takes its viewers from the breathtaking landscapes of Venice to the picturesque countryside and battlegrounds of Italy. Visconti brings out the beauty of Italy along with the bleakness of war times, as seen especially in the scenes shot in and around the Verona area. The contrast works well in amplifying the dilemmas and tensions experienced by the characters. Visconti's use of Technicolor further gives a stunning visual appeal to the film, enhancing its dramatic effect.

Visconti's master storytelling in Senso is visually magnificent and emotionally compelling. Each frame is carefully constructed, akin to a painting, accentuating the sweeping grandeur and richness of the time. Be it the opulent interiors of the opera house or the bleak war-torn landscapes, Visconti manages to capture the essence of the time in all its raw and simmering glory.

The brooding score by Anton Bruckner effectively underscores the escalating tension and emotional turmoil of the characters, amplifying their inner chaos and external predicaments. Music, being a prominent presence as the film unfolds, enhances the dramatic appeal subtly interplaying with the narratives and its layered connotations.

A milestone in Italian cinema, Senso mirrors socio-political realities of the time, using the potent medium of a love story. The story grapples with themes of love and betrayal, desire and disillusionment, swaying between passion and politics. It depicts emotional and political struggle seamlessly, with each influencing the course of the plot, bringing the emotionally charged tale to its inevitable conclusion.

On another layer, Senso represents a significant phase in Visconti's career, transitioning from his early phase of gritty realism towards sumptuous period dramas – a hallmark style that he would continue to refine in his subsequent works.

In terms of its emotional depth, historical backdrop, and film-making aesthetic, Senso is a rich cinematic feast, delivering an unforgettable viewing experience. Its lavish depiction of tragically flawed characters entwined in a forbidden love affair amidst a national upheaval leaves its viewers with a lingering sense of pathos and nostalgia.