Le Amiche follows the lives of four young women as observed by Clelia, who has returned to her native Turin to open a fashion salon. She throws in with a group of wealthy women and their assorted mates, and discovers life among the advantaged to be a meaningless affair. Only Rosetta, an unhappy daughter of rich parents, succumbs to the social vacuum and commits suicide. Le Amiche marks the last time that Antonioni conceived of the script as an impregnable structure; following this film, he incorporated improvisational techniques into his direction and staging. Le Amiche thrives on detailed composition and careful groupings of the characters within their milieu, establishing strong thematic resonance through visual movement. The interplay of characters is consistently fascinating, and the film has an ironic edge that makes it a true tragicomedy of morals. One can still find something to die for-the loss of love or the lack of meaning in life-in this wonderful early Antonioni work.