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In the Greek poet Homer’s Mythological epic ‘The Odyssey’, Parthenope is one of the three alluring sirens Odysseus encounters, but unlike her fellow sirens, fails to seduce Odysseus’ crew and casts herself out into the sea for her failure. In Paolo Sorrentino’s newest film ‘Parthenope’ (2025), the titular character is metaphorically delivered from her mother’s womb in the water and taken out of the oceanic void that the mythological siren perished in. Parthenope is being taken out of the water and back into this new world that sees beauty far differently than in ancient Greek times.
Beauty in all areas of life
Parthenope is an exuberant young woman living in Naples who draws eyes from all around to her natural beauty. It is a set up for a character that has been seen in countless other movies, but ‘Parthenope’ turns it around and instead of having her remain an IT girl, we are taken through her fascinating experiences that place value beyond her physical attraction. Initially, she attracts boys from all over Naples, but never seriously settles with any. She considers being an actress, but comes to realize that all the glamor that comes from a lifestyle is in reality a fleeting pleasure.
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This misdirection of audience expectations leads Parthenope to discover that there is more to life than the allure of her body and personality. The turning point for her is in the death of a loved one where she realizes the precious reality of how delicate life is, wanting to make something more out of it. She begins studies in Anthropology despite not knowing what the subject even is. She becomes involved with a very strange, almost devil-like catholic priest. Her life ends up in a place that none would expect someone of her status as an almost mythical being of beauty.
But much like the character herself, the film finds an odd sense of fascination in other areas of life such as Naples’ clear waters which her brother finds solitude in or a funeral being interrupted by a dirty street sweeper or her professor’s deformed son, so gargantuan and ugly, but also with such pale skin and mindful simplicity that who could look away from such strangeness? Some of these may not make much sense when in the context of a review, but it’s doing one a favor to give this film a watch for much like other films by Sorrentino, it manages to depict Beauty in nearly every scenario it presents.
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One minute of your youth
Director Paolo Sorrentino is known for including themes of youth and aging in cinematic methods that no other director does. Most of his filmography follows older people reflecting on their past choices, often with regret. ‘Youth’ (2015) is the perfect encapsulation of this as it follows two elderly friends going in different directions in their decaying life. This has been a regular dynamic for Sorrentino to follow in his films, but ‘Parthenope’ is the second film of his, the previous being ‘The Hand of God’ (2021) that instead takes a young person as its protagonist for servicing a coming of age story. He now has found interest in portraying blossoming youngsters moving through a world that is changing and moving closer to the life of an aging protagonist in one of Sorrentino’s other films.
In the case of ‘Parthenope’, she is swarmed by comments regarding her youthfulness. Her gorgeous skin, picturesque genetics, and colorful personality are beaming to nearly everyone she encounters. Her life could very likely go in the direction of an actress, coveted for her natural beauty and living a lifestyle of glamour. Rather than indulging in these possibilities, Parthenope herself comes to realize that this is not a life that she foresees satisfaction in. Sorrentino takes us through multiple sequences of her being exposed to this possible lifestyle and being turned off by it, the most insightful being an encounter with an actress whose attitude and life exude a distasteful personality and restrained feelings from a life that in reality amounts to not much fulfillment.
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Of greater importance, she is attracted to the people who are not constantly thirsting for her youth, mostly elderly, introspective people straight out of a previous Sorrentino film. An alcoholic writer living abroad, whose work she admires, at first appears to have the desire for her with his eccentric personality, but when she offers to spend a night with him, he elegantly states “No. Because I don’t want to steal one minute of your youth from you.” Additionally, Parthenope takes a liking to her professor and ends up having a successful career in education. Such a refreshingly unique direction to take considering her archetype. By focusing now on younger characters, Sorrentino is spreading the message that youth is sacred as it will eventually go away and those who have lots of life ahead of them should choose the right paths.
A Liberating Walk Through the Life of a Dweller in Naples
‘Parthenope’ is not concerned much with plot development or payoff for its appeal is found in its unique and free feeling approach to the story that Sorrentino provides. In some parts, slice of life, in others surreal, and in all gorgeously compelling. The cinematography and music choices are as expected from Sorrentino a masterwork of combining the various tools of filmmaking and all the actors are fully immersed in their roles. In particular, Celeste Della Porta in her first true actor role illuminates the scene with her beauty and personality. The audience is entranced by her presence similar to everyone else in the film. Whether she is immersed in the beachside waters of Naples, dancing in a club, or engaged with an activity more quaint, Porta arrests the audience in her character’s lingering journey like any previous protagonist of Sorrentino accomplishes.
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Despite his surprisingly minor role in the film, Gary Oldman steals his scenes with the usual smooth talk charm from him. Luisa Ranieri feels like a classic actress to come out of an older Italian film out of the Neorealist movement or a Fellini film of an eccentric woman who speaks her mind who later has her layers peeled back and revealed to be a broken individual. The most mesmerizing in the film is from Silvio Orlando as Parthenope’s admired professor who at first plays as heartless and void of charm. Once the layers of him are pulled back, and Orlando masterfully inserts himself into each one of his scenes while doing very little to grab the audience’s attention. Much like Parthenope’s interest for his cold, mysterious nature, we wish to see more of his layers unfold.
‘Parthenope’ is not going to be a film for everyone as contemporary reviews have indicated. It can feel slow at points and may come off as too odd or self indulgent for the liking of most. But, it is very rewarding to the viewer who freely transports themself into the world of another Sorrentino directed picture, blessed with gorgeous depictions of Italian lifestyles, strange, but likeable characters, and an overall experience that few directors know how to replicate.
CREDITS:
Cast: Celeste Della Porta, Gary Oldman, Luisa Ranieri, Silvio Orlando
Cinematography by: Daria D’Antonio
Edited by: Cristiano Travaglioli
Produced by: Lorenzo Mieli, Ardavan Safaee, Paolo Sorrentino, Anthony Vaccarello
Written & Directed by: Paolo Sorrentino
By Elijah van der Fluit
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Author
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Elijah van der Fluit is a writer for The Hollywood Insider based in California with aspirations to write and direct films for a professional career. In his spare time, Elijah enjoys watching and discussing movies of all genres as well as reading, hiking, spending time with family, and being one with the world. Elijah believes that art, whatever form it may take, has the ability to inspire and broaden people’s perspectives in a positive way and he hopes to use his work in film and writing to do so.
Elijah van der Fluit is a writer for The Hollywood Insider based in California with aspirations to write and direct films for a professional career. In his spare time, Elijah enjoys watching and discussing movies of all genres as well as reading, hiking, spending time with family, and being one with the world. Elijah believes that art, whatever form it may take, has the ability to inspire and broaden people’s perspectives in a positive way and he hopes to use his work in film and writing to do so.
