The Belly of an Architect
The Belly of an Architect | |
---|---|
Directed by | Peter Greenaway |
Written by | Peter Greenaway |
Produced by | Colin Callender Walter Donohue |
Starring | Brian Dennehy Chloe Webb Lambert Wilson |
Cinematography | Sacha Vierny |
Edited by | John Wilson |
Music by | Wim Mertens |
Distributed by | Hemdale Film Corporation |
Release date | 1987 |
Running time | 120 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom / Italy |
Language | English |
Budget | £1.8 million[1] |
The Belly of an Architect is a 1987
Plot
American architect Stourley Kracklite has been commissioned to construct an exhibition in Rome dedicated to the architecture of the 18th-century French architect, Étienne-Louis Boullée, who until the 20th century remained little known. Kracklite's Italian colleagues express doubts about whether Boullée really belongs in the architectural pantheon; they note that few of his buildings were ever constructed and observe that Boullée was an inspiration for Adolf Hitler's architect Albert Speer.
As he works on the exhibition, Kracklite's marriage and health deteriorate. He becomes obsessed with
Louisa leaves Kracklite, who is diagnosed with stomach cancer and given only months to live. The film ends at the exhibition's opening ceremony, nine months after their arrival in Italy. Kracklite, now replaced as director by Caspasian, watches from a high vantage point as Louisa cuts the tape. As she suddenly goes into labor, Kracklite jumps to his death.
Cast
- Brian Dennehy as Stourley Kracklite
- Chloe Webb as Louisa Kracklite
- Lambert Wilson as Caspasian Speckler
- Sergio Fantoni as Io Speckler
- Stefania Casini as Flavia Speckler
- Vanni Corbellini as Frederico
- Alfredo Varelli as Julio
- Geoffrey Copleston as Caspetti
- Francesco Carnelutti as Pastarri
- Marino Maséas Trettorio
- Marne Maitland as Battistino
- Claudio Spadaro as Mori
- Rate Furlan as The Violinist
- Julian Jenkins as Old Doctor
- Enrica Maria Scrivano as Mother
Critical reception
Review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports 85% approval of The Belly of an Architect based on 13 reviews, though with an average rating of 6.58/10.[4]
References
- ^ "Back to the Future: The Fall and Rise of the British Film Industry in the 1980s - An Information Briefing" (PDF). British Film Institute. 2005. p. 19.
- ^ "Festival de Cannes: The Belly of an Architect". festival-cannes.com. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
- ^ Maslin, Janet (1 October 1987). "BELLY OF AN ARCHITECT,' FROM PETER GREENAWAY". The New York Times.
- ^ "The Belly of an Architect (1987)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved 27 January 2017.