Few films have garnered the critical praise of Frederico Fellini’s 8 1/2. The definitive movie-about-making-movies, 8 1/2 stars Marcello Mastroianni as troubled moviemaker Guido Anselmi, who dodges producers, his wife and his mistress while searching for his ever-elusive inspiration. The film breaks down as Guido—a cypher for Fellini himself—remembers his long history of infidelity, watching his personal life crumble while his career flourishes. At times comic, sexual and disturbing, 8 1/2’s Guido is the kind of well-rounded character that typified Italian Realism. By the end of the movie you won’t know what is real or what is a dream, but you will know Guido—and by extension, Fellini.
1:30pm Sunday, August 25, 7pm thursday, August 27. $8-10. Michigan Theater. 603 E. Liberty St. 734-668-8463. www.michtheater.org —JS
