In Milan after visiting dear friend Tommaso Garani that is terminal in a hospital the writer Giovanni Pontano goes to a party for the release of his last book and his wife Lydia Pontano visits the place where she lived many years ago. In the night they go to a night-club and later to a party in the mansion of the tycoon Mr. Gherardini. Along the night Giovanni flirts with Valentina Gherardini the daughter of the host and then he receives a proposal to work for him in the area of communication and write the history of his company. Meanwhile Lydia flirts with the playboy Roberto.
Review
Its better to wander into this film without knowing too much. The performances are all outstanding but the main credit must be handed to the artist behind it all Michelangelo Antonioni. It would have been quite beautiful to have seen this film when it came out but even after all these years the themes still resonate as true.
I don't want to get into the plot too much but this film is more about feeling. The friction and differences between husband and wife are explored.
Antonioni doesn't force anything he allows a scene to play out in proper time. This film is full of symbolism and despair.