I decided to watch this film with some trepidation. It showed up as an instant play movie on Netflix. I was already very familiar with the movie being on several critics' list for "must see" movies but this part made me even more skeptical. Why? Because many of the reviews focused too much on the wonderful cinematography, how the film represents the Italian neo-realist film movement, the greater social issues of poverty and austerity measures of the time, and the psycho-social father/son dynamic. Well, all that's nice but is the movie good? The answer is a resounding yes! This 1948 film is way before my time but I connected with it as strongly as any film from today.
The plot is very simple, a father named Antonio is in desperate need of work during post World War II era in Rome. He finally gets a job opportunity posting advertisements but it requires his bicycle which he has already pawned. His determined and supportive wife gathers all the bed linens to help raise money and retrieve the bicycle from the pawn shop. The father's son, Bruno polishes up the bike, noticing a small dent and admonishing his dad for not pointing this out to the pawn shop manager. The son is instantly adorable! The father is elated with his new job which comes with a regular salary and housing stipend. However, on the very first day of work, the bicycle is stolen. The rest of the movie involves the father's search, accompanied by his son, for the bicycle. This movie is infuriating as you experience the apathy of the police and community to the father's situation. As the day prevails, Antonio becomes more desperate and all that he stands for as a man and father begins to disintegrate.
The best movies are the ones that stir intense emotion whether it's joy, sadness, fright, etc. This movie is maddening. You understand the final actions of the father but you also are deeply pained for how it forever changes his son. Thanks to all of you that encouraged us to watch this film. Now, I'm paying it forward.
The plot is very simple, a father named Antonio is in desperate need of work during post World War II era in Rome. He finally gets a job opportunity posting advertisements but it requires his bicycle which he has already pawned. His determined and supportive wife gathers all the bed linens to help raise money and retrieve the bicycle from the pawn shop. The father's son, Bruno polishes up the bike, noticing a small dent and admonishing his dad for not pointing this out to the pawn shop manager. The son is instantly adorable! The father is elated with his new job which comes with a regular salary and housing stipend. However, on the very first day of work, the bicycle is stolen. The rest of the movie involves the father's search, accompanied by his son, for the bicycle. This movie is infuriating as you experience the apathy of the police and community to the father's situation. As the day prevails, Antonio becomes more desperate and all that he stands for as a man and father begins to disintegrate.
The best movies are the ones that stir intense emotion whether it's joy, sadness, fright, etc. This movie is maddening. You understand the final actions of the father but you also are deeply pained for how it forever changes his son. Thanks to all of you that encouraged us to watch this film. Now, I'm paying it forward.