AllMovie

A mix of reality, fiction, documentary, and fantasy make up this personal, semi-autobiographical statement from director Marco Bellocchio. While vacationing in Val Trebbia, Bellocchio has a (fictional) falling-out with his wife. This contretemps is offset by the arrival of friends for the usual evening socializing. Interspersed in this portrayal of life as it is are imaginary scenes of Native Americans, Roman soldiers, and surreal constructs such as journeys along dangerous rapids. Everything builds to an inevitable personal crisis that must be handled, one way or another.