Ep. 41: Journey to Italy & Favorite Character Actors

Flixwise Podcast

We are very pleased to welcome back to the show author and film historian Professor James Naremore. Naremore joins host, Lady P, for a discussion on Roberto Rossellini's 1954 JOURNEY TO ITALY. Upon its initial release, JOURNEY TO ITALY was generally panned or dismissed by critics. However, in the intervening years, its esteem has risen tremendously, and it now sits comfortably in the Top 50 in the Sight and Sound Critics Poll. Lady P and Professor Naremore discuss the film's post-war trauma subtext and its allusions to the work of James Joyce. They also touch on the degree to which the film's depiction of marital strife mirrors the real-life relationship between Rossellini and his then-wife, JOURNEY co-star, Ingrid Bergman.

For the second topic, Lady P and Naremore talk about character actors. JOURNEY TO ITALY co-stars George Sanders - the greatest actor to ever to grace the silver screen*. For some reason, Sanders is often described as a "character actor" rather than a leading man. But what exactly is a character actor, and what is the distinction between a character actor and a movie star? Professor Naremore explains the origins of the character actor moniker and talks about the nebulous difference between a character actor and a marquee topping name.

*Fact

And if you're interested in hearing James Naremore on other episodes of Flixwise be sure to check out our podcasts on MULHOLLAND DRIVE and PSYCHO.