I tried PM'ing you, but maybe you didn't get it? I watched the Bicycle Thief on Monday night. Let the conversation commence. Anyone else who cares to join, please do.

Overall, I thought the movie was beautiful... well shot, moving and heartfelt, and wonderfully performed (I sincerely believed Bruno was Antonio's son, and Maria was his wife-- just based on body language, familiar interaction, dialogue). It felt pertinent and meaningful even in today's times, with the strong desire and need to work, while setting a good example for your child. My heart broke during the scene where he slaps his son, because we've all been there, maybe not with physical manifestations, but with parents (and now us) being frustrated and taking it out on our loved ones. And then of course the awful realization that everything that truly means something to us can be taken in an instant (Antonio running to the river's edge, looking up and seeing his son at the top of the steps).

I totally felt his pain and conflict about taking another bicycle to keep his job. And of course, seeing Bruno's face once he realizes what's happened, was heartwrenching.

I suppose I wasn't surprised when it wasn't a happy ending, but surprised for the time the film was made, since it was post-war and everyone (esp. in Italy) probably would have liked an uplifting movie. Perhaps the movie could be viewed as how Italy was before/after the war-- man yearns for work, and can't get work without paying exorbitantly and surrendering other necessities. His livelihood is taken from him before it even starts, and he's put in a position to fail or commit an act that he finds immoral in order to succeed. He chooses the latter, and fails anyway.

Great film, though to me it lags a bit in the middle.

Yeah, fantastic movie.

It seems like this would be the case, but it was pretty much the opposite. During the war, the feel-good movies of the American cinema were popular across the world as a form of escapism, but afterwards nearly everyone (minus Germany) wanted to examine what had happened to their country. The neo-realist movement was born as a result in Italy, many say it was this film that started it.

One interesting thing you might have noticed is how the war left Italy with almost no materials to produce movies with. Filmstock was scrounged up, which is why shots differentiate in quality so much between one another. If you ever thought the lip-syncing was off, it was because the Italians didn't have cameras that could record sound simultaneously like the Americans did, so everything was shot silently then dubbed over in a studio.

bump for ayah

Now rent:

the thing i love about this movie is it's simplicity. and power. it's basically a very direct movie about a man who needs a job.

it doesn't linger on contrasts of the rich and poor. it has a few small scenes: hanging up the posters of a hollywood film. the pizza place scene where it makes a point but doesn't linger.

it's shot and edited in a simple graphic manner as well. very direct.

the guy playing the father was not a professional actor. de sica had this idea that everyone was born to play one good role and i guess he found him.

i like the scene when his wife goes to thank the psychic and he gets impatient and goes up and you're sure the bike will be gone when he gets back. nice touch. and of couse the scenes between him and his son are wonderful.

the best thing about this movie is that it is extremely touching without being overly sentimental. can you imagine spielberg remaking this?

can't remember if i've seen umberto d in its entirety or just clips.
i'm going to try and rent it this weekend.
it's about a guy who can't pay his rent, correct? and he has a cute little dog as his companion.

i think it has the same screenwriter as the bicycle thief.
i need a book on the italian neo-realism film movement. anyone have any suggestions?

I saw The Bicycle Thief recently as well, and added Umberto D. to my Netflix list soon after. I'll get to it eventually, it's in spot number 19.

shall we assume you enjoyed it?

That makes sense, with the neo-realist movement. I must admit, I did find it interesting that here's this poor guy, doing everything he can to get and keep a job, and of all the jobs he gets, he's putting up Rita Hayworth posters around Rome. Quite the statement.

I did notice the lip syncing, and at times, the poor quality of the film.

It wouldn't lag in the middle.

Umberto D is better than the Bicycle Thief. Out of all the foreign classics, the Bicycle Thief is at the bottom of the list in my opinion.

of course it is.