A writer in his sixties, disillusioned with the superficiality of Rome’s high society, reflects on his life and lost potential. Surrounded by extravagant parties and fleeting connections, he searches for meaning and beauty, confronting painful memories of his younger years and the vibrant artistic aspirations he abandoned. He finds himself grappling with regret and the ephemeral nature of youth and beauty.
Does The Great Beauty have end credit scenes?
No!
The Great Beauty does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.
Explore the complete cast of The Great Beauty, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.
No actors found
Discover where to watch The Great Beauty online, including streaming platforms, rental options, and official sources. Compare reviews, ratings, and in-depth movie information across sites like TMDb, Wikipedia, Rotten Tomatoes or Metacritic.
See how The Great Beauty is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where The Great Beauty stands among top-rated movies in its genre.
86
Metascore
8.0
User Score
91%
TOMATOMETER
81%
User Score
75
%
User Score
4.1
From 7.2K fan ratings
Challenge your knowledge of The Great Beauty with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.
What is the name of the protagonist in 'The Great Beauty'?
Jep Gambardella
Romano
Lello
Viola
Show hint
Discover all the awards and nominations received by The Great Beauty, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how The Great Beauty and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.
7th Gaudí Awards 2015
Best European Film
86th Academy Awards 2014
Foreign Language Film
67th British Academy Film Awards 2014
Best Film Not in the English Language
19th Critics' Choice Awards 2014
Best Foreign Language Film
71st Golden Globe Awards 2014
Best Foreign Language Film
29th Independent Spirit Awards 2014
Best International Film
Read the complete plot summary of The Great Beauty, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.
The film begins with a profound quote from Louis-Ferdinand Céline’s Journey to the End of the Night:
“Travel is useful; it exercises the imagination. All the rest is disappointment and fatigue. Our journey is entirely imaginary. That is its strength. It goes from life to death. People, animals, cities, things – all are imagined. It’s a novel, just a fictitious narrative. Littré says so, and he’s never wrong. And besides, in the first place, anyone can do as much. You just have to close your eyes. It’s on the other side of life.”
Meet Jep Gambardella, a 65-year-old journalist and theater critic, whose life has been a captivating journey through the opulent yet superficial social scene of Rome. With a rich history steeped in the city’s beauty and flaws, he seeks not only acceptance but aims to reign as the “king of society.” In his younger years, Jep dabbled in creative writing, producing The Human Apparatus, his sole literary work that garnered him acclaim and awards. Unfortunately, a relentless creative block has stifled his ability to write further, leaving him to navigate a world where superficiality reigns.
Surrounded by an eclectic group of friends, Jep finds himself entangled with Romano, a playwright often manipulated by a younger partner; Lello, a boisterous toy salesman; Viola, a wealthy woman coping with the challenges of a mentally ill son named Andrea; and Stefania, a self-absorbed writer engrossed in her own world. Among this ensemble is Dadina, the dwarf editor from Jep’s newspaper, who adds her unique charm to the mix.
A turning point arrives when Jep unexpectedly encounters the husband of Elisa, his first love, who conveys the heartbreaking news of her passing. She leaves behind a diary revealing that Jep was never truly replaced; rather, his presence was merely a lingering memory in Elisa’s life. The bond of her husband, now grieving, crumbles despite his newfound solace offered by a foreign maid. This encounter ignites a profound introspection within Jep, nudging him into a melancholic reevaluation of his own existence and compelling thoughts of returning to writing.
As days pass, Jep’s path crosses with Ramona, a stripper burdened with her own dark secrets, and Cardinal Bellucci, whose fervor for culinary arts starkly contrasts his religious duties. Through these experiences, Jep grapples with the sense of futility that envelops his life. Tragedy soon strikes; Ramona succumbs to illness, and Romano departs Rome seeking something more fulfilling, leaving only Jep behind. In a dramatic turn, Stefania, humiliated by Jep’s revelations about her deceptions, distances herself from his circle, while Viola, devastated by her son’s death, dedicates her life to missionary work in Africa.
Just as despair threatens to engulf Jep, an unexpected opportunity emerges. Urged by Dadina, he embarks on a mission to interview a Catholic missionary nun in the Third World, leading him to Giglio Island amidst the wreckage of the Costa Concordia. It is here, during a poignant flashback to his initial encounter with Elisa, that a flicker of hope rekindles within him, guiding Jep towards the completion of the novel he has long yearned to write.
Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!
Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from The Great Beauty. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.
Explore the various alternative titles, translations, and other names used for The Great Beauty across different regions and languages. Understand how the film is marketed and recognized worldwide.
Explore the alternate titles, translations, and working names for The Great Beauty. Learn how the film is known in different regions, languages, and releases, and discover the variations that reflect its cultural reach and marketing choices.
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Explore Our Movie Platform
New Movie Releases (2025)
Famous Movie Actors
Top Film Production Studios
Movie Plot Summaries & Endings
Major Movie Awards & Winners
Best Concert Films & Music Documentaries
Movie Collections and Curated Lists
© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.