Parthenope Review: A Dreamlike Journey Through Identity and Desire

Italian filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino returns to his roots in Parthenope, turning the camera on his beloved Naples in a soaring, visually arresting narrative centered on youth, beauty, and the compelling mysteries of life. Named for the mythological siren said to have founded Naples, Parthenope draws from Sorrentino’s trademark blend of extravagant imagery, playful surrealism, and meditations on longing and regret.

In this sweeping tale, we follow Parthenope (played, for most of the film, by newcomer Celeste Dalla Porta) from her water birth in 1950s Naples to her emergence in a sun-kissed adulthood, where her unimaginable beauty becomes both a blessing and a burden. The film spans decades, weaving together Neapolitan folklore, philosophical musings, lush visuals, and Sorrentino’s familiar fascination with the dolce vita and the sting of time passing by.

If you want to dive more deeply into the film’s plot, characters, and other fascinating details (including quizzes and links to other reviews), be sure to check out the dedicated Parthenope page on What’s After the Movie.

This review will explore how Parthenope simultaneously enchants and challenges viewers, from the brilliance of its cinematography to the sometimes hollow resonance of its sprawling storylines.

A Mythical Prologue

From its opening scene, Parthenope embraces the legendary lineage behind its title character. According to Greek myth, Parthenope was a siren who washed ashore in Naples after failing to beguile Odysseus. In Sorrentino’s version, the film reinterprets this mythic heritage through a dramatic water-birth in 1950 that foreshadows the protagonist’s destiny as both muse and mystery.

Early on, the narrative establishes how significant Parthenope’s origins are, not just for her own sense of self, but for the city that comes to view her as a figure of enchantment. By spotlighting the ocean as her literal entry point into life, Sorrentino infuses the story with ancient allure and underscores the idea that Naples — with all its cultural riches and contradictions — will shape Parthenope’s experiences at every turn.

A Radiant Protagonist

Fast-forward to 1968, and Parthenope steps out of the Tyrrhenian Sea in near-surreal slow motion, halting passersby in their tracks. It’s clear from the outset that her unearthly beauty commands attention. Yet Sorrentino adds subtle complexity to her character as we follow her deeper into young adulthood.

Parthenope is highly intellectual, immersing herself in anthropology under the guidance of an irritable professor (Silvio Orlando) who gradually recognizes her inquisitive brilliance. Despite the constant idolization from almost everyone she meets, she exhibits an unmistakable independence, calling out those who see her only as an object of desire. Underneath her poise, though, she bears the weight of a shared family tragedy that forces her to confront the fragility of love, youth, and life itself.

In the end, Parthenope feels both mesmerizing and distant. She remains a mystery the audience longs to understand, which serves Sorrentino’s vision — though it may leave viewers wishing for a more fleshed-out portrait of this captivating woman.

Naples as a Living Canvas

Like his previous works, Sorrentino casts Naples in a starring role. The film’s cinematography glides through grand villas on the Bay, narrow alleys in the city’s impoverished quarters, and seafront promenades bursting with color. There is a carnivalesque energy to every shot, with festivals, religious processions, and spontaneous celebrations illuminating the city’s soul. The result is a patchwork of glamor and decay, capturing Naples in its raw, paradoxical glory.

In several scenes, Sorrentino also references historical events that shaped the city’s identity, including a cholera outbreak in the early 1970s. Through these glimpses of Neapolitan life, Parthenope underscores the interplay between tradition, superstition, and modern aspirations — mirroring Parthenope’s own internal journey.

Themes of Youth & Desire

Sorrentino weaves a coming-of-age narrative that spotlights the intense rush of adolescence, alongside the bruising aftermath of heartbreak. Parthenope experiences the double-edged sword of astonishing beauty: it grants her access to powerful figures and exhilarating adventures, yet isolates her from meaningful connections. Beneath the fireworks of youth, the story pulsates with existential questioning. Are life’s fleeting pleasures just illusions? Is the fascination with beauty bound to crumble over time?

A particularly memorable interlude sees Gary Oldman as a (very) drunken John Cheever, rhapsodizing about the funerals that inevitably follow desire. Here, the movie highlights a tension central to Sorrentino’s oeuvre: human beings simultaneously crave beauty and mourn its inevitable loss, turning youth into both a prize and a pain.

The Supporting Cast & Notable Cameos

Parthenope features an ensemble that orbits around the protagonist’s singular energy. Dario Aita portrays Sandrino, a childhood friend who remains hopelessly enthralled by her. Daniele Rienzo plays her brother Raimondo, whose fixation on Parthenope blurs familial boundaries and sparks tragedy. Silvio Orlando stands out as Professor Devoto Marotta, whose cantankerous exterior hides genuine fascination for Parthenope’s intellect.

Meanwhile, Gary Oldman shows up as the equally bewitched and melancholy John Cheever, offering a brief, whimsical glimpse of literary cynicism. Actresses Luisa Ranieri and Isabella Ferrari make appearances as aging stars struggling to maintain relevance in a world defined by surface-level allure. Each character, cameo or otherwise, exposes a different facet of Parthenope’s world and of Naples itself — from its cultural fevers to its unspoken sorrows.

Visuals, Atmosphere & Sorrentino’s Trademark Style

Majestic Cinematography

Shot by Daria D’Antonio, the film’s visuals are quintessentially Sorrentino: slow-motion tableaus, sweeping coastal vistas, and richly composed interiors. Even the most intimate moments shimmer with theatrical flourishes — emphasizing a reality in which life borders on the surreal.

Operatic Score

The operatic score by Lele Marchitelli amplifies every emotional beat. Orchestral crescendos accompany key revelations, punctuating the film’s dreamlike pacing. At times, one might feel overwhelmed by the grandeur, but it fits neatly into Sorrentino’s cinematic tapestry where everyday events become epic spectacles.

Surreal Flourishes

Bizarre set-pieces — from a helicopter suitor tossing invitations from the sky to a New Year’s celebration in the winding streets — reflect Sorrentino’s love for eccentricity. These sequences are designed to enchant and bewilder in equal measure, inviting us to lose ourselves in the visual carnival while also questioning its deeper purpose.

Narrative Highs & Lows

Highs
Sorrentino’s ambition to merge Greek myth, raw emotional heartbreak, and a philosophical lens on youth is undeniably captivating. The film’s technical strengths — from costumes to cinematography — are consistently enthralling. Certain scenes (like Parthenope’s idyllic summer in Capri, or her tearful confession in a university hallway) resonate with sincerity, reminding us that beneath the film’s spectacle lies a tender core of longing and regret.

Lows
Though the film revels in Parthenope’s mystique, her role can feel frustratingly opaque. She’s a symbol as much as a character, which diminishes the emotional punch of her journey. At points, Sorrentino’s penchant for extravagant visuals risks overshadowing the narrative; an elaborate “Great Fusion” wedding consummation, for example, feels indulgent rather than essential. The film’s pacing also leaps across decades and subplots so quickly that viewers may occasionally struggle to remain anchored.

Critic & Fan Reception

Early commentary on Parthenope suggests another polarizing entry in Sorrentino’s filmography. Critics largely agree on the remarkable look and feel of the movie, but they’re split on whether the spectacle holds up without a more grounded emotional core. Some applaud the loving portrait of Naples, while others question if Parthenope’s “empty muse” archetype leaves viewers with too many unanswered questions.

Audiences have similarly varied reactions. Certain fans relish the freewheeling visual splendor and interpret the film as a meditative journey on life’s fleeting wonders. Others feel let down by the film’s narrative evasiveness, longing for deeper character exploration or a more cohesive storyline. To get a broader sense of the overall consensus, browse these official listings:

Final Verdict

Parthenope is a lavish, at times hypnotic ode to Naples and the transient nature of youth and beauty. It exhibits all the signature hallmarks of Paolo Sorrentino’s style — mesmerizing visuals, a dash of the surreal, and a fascination with what lies beneath the sparkling veneer of civilization. Whether it fully succeeds in giving Parthenope herself enough inner life remains open to debate.

Who Should Watch: If you adore lyrical, visually extravagant cinema, or if you’re drawn to existential reflections on youth, truth, and time, Parthenope will likely captivate.
Who Might Skip: If you prefer character-driven stories with crystal-clear motivations and tight plotting, the film’s episodic nature and elusive protagonist may be less satisfying.

Ultimately, Parthenope stands as a unique, if somewhat divisive, addition to the Sorrentino catalog: a film that envelopes you in daydream imagery while quietly posing questions about how we chase after beauty and meaning in a world where both slip through our fingers all too quickly.

Additional Resources & Where to Learn More

If you’re eager for more insights on Parthenope, head over to What’s After the Movie to explore:

What’s After the Movie – Blog – for more reviews, quizzes, and film discussions.
Parthenope Movie Page – where you’ll find a more comprehensive movie summary, fun facts, and links to other reputable movie information sites.