Ostensibly a film about a director at a creative impasse in his career, it has often been remarked that it was at least semi-autobiographical, reflecting many of the difficulties Fellini was experiencing in his own work and life.

Film director Guido (Mastroianni) is being hassled from all sides to begin production on his next film, but inspiration eludes him and personal crises fill his thoughts and, to a greater extent, his dreams. Indeed, it is during the dream sequences that we really learn about the true subject of the film. Sexual desire, frustration, and a feeling of isolation as a human being, are just some of the issues he touches upon.

Guido has a wife and a mistress, both of whom want their fair share of the man. But, once he has divided himself amongst the hungry hopefuls waiting to pounce on the yet-to-be-confirmed film, there's not a whole lot left. It seems only in sleep is he free to explore the dark imaginings and desires of this mind and where Fellini has a creative free-reign to really push forward Guido's character.

Fellini's work was often misunderstood as being too highbrow for the average cinema audience but it was generally a lack of straightforward, linear structure in his films that forced people to interpret the stories for themselves. He doesn't make it easy for his audience but it's ultimately a more fulfilling experience.