Film Review - Parthenope
Images courtesy of Palace Films.
In Parthenope (2024), Paolo Sorrentino explores youth, beauty, and the fleeting nature of desire, in an homage to the intoxicating allure of the Mediterranean coast, and living in the shadow of the male gaze. Produced by A24, well known for their award-winning works, and creating some of the most innovative and unconventional films of this generation, Parthenope is the perfect blend of a sultry chemistry: charming people and the sophistication of life by the Neapolitan seaside. The title itself, Parthenope, is derived from Greek mythology, the name of a siren, both seductive and dangerous.
Parthenope is not merely about a young woman’s physical beauty, but about the experience of being desired—trapped within a world where youth is celebrated but never permanent. It follows the life of Parthenope, a young woman whose beauty captivates those around her, leaving her looks imprinted onto the consciousness of her admirers. Sorrentino successfully creates a relaxed yet captivating atmosphere, where the youth is temporary but the decisions made are permanent. The options of young Parthenope (Celeste Dalla Porta) from the men around her to the choice of affluent lives she could live perfectly lives up to the phrase, that youth is fleeting. Each shot of the film perfectly echoes the themes of beauty, transience, and tension, without ever being overwhelming. The director of photography (Daria D'Antonio) captures the film through a series of shots that can only be described as renaissance art.
The men who surround Parthenope serve as poignant representations of different facets of male desire and the societal pressures placed on young women. The first being her privileged young admirers and their shallow infatuation with Parthenope. Then also, the older men in her life who play their roles as father figures who attempt to impart wisdom onto Parthenope. As the titular character is ravaged by the male gaze, Parthenope reflects on the dualities of attraction—how beauty both empowers and entraps, and how the gaze of others shapes one’s identity.
Parthenope is an aesthetically appealing film: the lush cinematography and captivating landscapes are undeniably beautiful. However, the film occasionally leans too heavily on these elements, which can hardly compensate for the lack in story. Rather than creating an in depth view of a young woman’s experience subjected to the male gaze, the audience is provided with boundless artful cinematography. Parthenope is, as a result, reduced to a sex icon in a story lacking emotional depth, however Sorrentino’s work should be commended nonetheless, as a piece of visual poetry.
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Parthenope is screening in cinemas from Boxing Day. For tickets and more info, click here.