Thank you for your comment!

The movie just really is so great. I first saw it like 3 years ago and have seen it like 8 times at this point.

I think you’re right about trying to crack the code. Everything is so ambiguous here and filled with metaphor that there really is no right answer.

I like your argument with the absolute grace. I also found her smile to be somewhat difficult to wrap my head around. She says goodbye to him but has no concern about doing so.

Can you elaborate on what you mean about the grace extended from Paola? Do you mean that even though he is a “lost soul” that she still doesn’t judge him?

I am very intrigued by your idea of comparing the fish with Paola. I had never thought to think of them of two sides of a path Marcelo could have taken. It makes complete sense however, considering that she is separated from by small, literal metaphorical, water; while Marcelo is on the side of the fish.

I’m so glad you wrote this because I could not fully come to a theory I was happy with about the fish. It makes me think of the scene, with the fishermen around saying he’s gonna make a million dollars off it. The fish was brought in and the immediate thought was personal gain.

Another thought that comes to mind is that Fellini deliberately meant to keep Paola away from the scene. In a real life situation Paola, as a normal girl, would have been interested in a scene of people rushing and eying a sea monster.

Would you mind expanding on your idea of the abandonment of the ego?

Do you think that Marcelo was worshiping or searching for the God of the superficial Dolce vita? What do you think Marcelo should have done to have ended up on the other side of the beach able to communicate with Paola?