2022 Blind Spot Series - Bicycle Thieves

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What I knew going in: That it's considered a cinematic masterpiece

In Post WWII Italy, Antonio (Lamberto Maggiorani) is given a job that requires him to have a bicycle. His wife ( Lianella Carell) goes to the trouble of buying back the bike, which she just recently sold so they could eat. While out on said job, the bike gets stolen, so Antonio and his young son Bruno (Enzo Staiola) roam the streets trying to find the thief.

Italian neo-realism is a sub-genre that I haven't really dabbled in. Yet this year, I have two films on my Blind Spot list that fall into this category. Since this is the more famous of the two, it's where I decided to start. 

True to the genre, it feels like we're dropped directly into poor working class Italy. Nothing about this film feels polished, and that's meant as a compliment. I found myself hoping for a happy ending that never came. I think the thing that surprised me the most was how depressing it was from start to finish. 

None of the actors were professionals but they all fit into their parts well. Bruno was fun to watch, he felt more like a tiny adult than a child at times. That poor kid has had it rough. The real star of this film is director Vittorio De Sica. Considering he was shooting on location in busy streets with no professionals, he really got the most out of his cast and crew. It's an incredible accomplishment. 

Grade: B

Comments

  1. BirgitApril 18, 2022 at 9:15 AM

    I love this film because
    It's a true depiction of what must have been happening at that time. The boy is wonderful and using such real people just added to its depth. I have yet to see Rome, Open City.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamApril 19, 2022 at 9:02 PM

      I agree. I can't say I've though much about what Italy was like post WWII, I mostly think of Germany or Japan, so it's definitely something I needed to see.

      Delete
  2. thevoid99April 18, 2022 at 2:47 PM

    It is a devastating film to watch as how can anyone not cry at the end. It is depressing but worth-watching and it's a film that never should be remade. I don't care what Tim Robbins' character says in The Player.

    I've been playing Framed too and whereas you were unable to figure out westerns. I 5/6 on today's puzzle as it's only because I had never seen the film, yet. I do like the game.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamApril 19, 2022 at 9:02 PM

      I got Yesterday's Framed on the first try! I felt good about myself considering how hard I flopped on Fistful of Dollars. Today it took me 3.

      Delete
  3. SJHoneywellApril 19, 2022 at 9:53 AM

    I think the film is a masterpiece, but I also think your assessment is the right one. It's a masterpiece because of de Sica and how it was made.

    It is a heartbreaking film as well, not one I relish watching again because of where it goes, but it's definitely a must-see film if you're serious about the history of film. Great choice for filling in a hole in your viewing history!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamApril 19, 2022 at 9:01 PM

      Oh I agree. Definitely a must-see for any film history buff, but it's certainly more of a technical marvel than anything.

      Delete
  4. joel65913April 19, 2022 at 5:07 PM

    Words really fail me to describe how much I hate, Hate, H.A.T.E.D! this movie!!! However I also discovered when I saw it that it was very much a love it or hate it film.

    I watched it with my cousin and her husband at the time. Both he and I thoroughly detested it, feeling that it was akin to staring at a wall while the paint dried on it but my cousin was completely enraptured and wept at the end.

    Now I'm not adverse to either Italian neo-realism (I have a much more favorable view of your other film on the list in that genre) nor De Sica (I recommend his Marriage Italian Style, The Children Are Watching Us or the heartbreaking Umberto D.) but I could not connect with this exercise in agony at all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamApril 19, 2022 at 9:00 PM

      An exercise in agony is a PERFECT description for this. I'm such a clown I thought he'd actually get the damn thing back in the end.

      Delete
  5. DellApril 20, 2022 at 10:04 PM

    I've been saying I'm going to watch this for years. I need to get on it.

    ReplyDelete

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