As a passionate film lover, it really is a very important event when I discover a new film that can challenge my top 5 favorite movies ever seen, but that also leaves me with the question: How come I didnt know about this movie before? As a filmmaker on the beginning of my journey, Im trying to feed myself with anything I can use to stimulate my creative process and since Ive been exposed to international cinema since an early age, when it comes to European Film, Italian cinema has a very special place in my heart, with so many influential movies that have changed me for ever. Bicycle Thieves is definitely one of the best movies I have ever seen. And it seems like a bad joke that even when I love this movie and I have seen some other of Vittorios films, I just didnt know about the existence of UMBERTO D. So, again, How come I didnt know about this movie before? Synopsis: Umberto Domenici Ferrari is an elderly man who lives with the difficulties of being a retired pensioner who spends his time in the solitude of his very small room in Rome, for which he cant afford paying the rent anymore. These are rough times in old post-war Italy where poverty and unemployment were as common as for someone to need to beg for money or steal it to be able to eat a meal. You either ate or paid your bills, and when you are an old man with no family, things wont be any easier for sure. But to that you have to add that Umberto wasnt the kind of man that could beg for money or take it from someone else. Umbertos days pass by with the company of his fellow friend Flick, a dog with more than average intelligence. Flick follows Umberto through a heart-breaking journey as he comes to the self-realization of his hopeless situation. He is continuously making every possible decision that could potentially resolve his financial problems but also ensure a good life for Flick. His lack of success at dealing with an angry landlady, Antonia Belloni, makes him go through different stages of desperation and unsuccessful attempts to raise the money for rent. His only companion besides Flick, is the maid of the house where he rents his room. She shares with Umberto the news about her pregnancy and also her uncertainty on who the father of the baby could be, she is the lover of two young soldiers. She helps Umberto while he falls under his fevers, which he uses as a deflecting solution for him to stretch his due payment date, since he chooses to spend some time at a hospital so he can at least ensure that he will have a roof over his head for the meantime but also that he doesnt get kicked out of the house just yet. The story grows painfully worse when after been threaten with eviction, Umberto is left with the only imaginable option for him to finish it all and escape from his debts, he decides to commit suicide. With a running time of 89 minutes, Umberto D is a black and white gem from Italian Neorealism cinema with impressive photography and storytelling. Its a masterpiece that contains a deep social commentary, underlining on principals and human values. The Director Vittorio DeSica does it again and brings together the writing of Cesare Zavattini, the incomparable music scoring of Alessando Cicognini and the delightful cutting of Eraldo Da Roma. These artists join forces again to make a picture as beautiful and iconic as they did in the past with Bicycle Thieves. And even though, most of the enduring cast members were non-professional actors, including actor Carlo Battisti, who claimed the lead role of Umberto, you feel satisfied with the delivery of every single one of them. Carlo Battisti brings life to an endearing character that you cant help but to feel empathy for him, with a very powerful and honest performance that will break your heart from beginning to end. Lina Gennari who is one of the few trained actors, nailed it at playing her role well as the stone cold diva, opera singer, who never showed an ounce of empathy. Maria Pia Casilio who plays the servant, brings a performance that reaches beyond the screen with piercing eyes and a simple talk. And the dog, well, the dog is great and youll cry for that dog just as much as I did. Even though its opening weekend was only $1,664 in the Unites States, and it Grossed a total of just $74,308 (U.S.), This classic film holds honorable recognitions such as: An Oscar nomination in 1957 for Best writing, Bodil_Best European Film (winner 1955), Cannes Nominee, Jussi (winner 1957) Best Foreign Director, NYFCC Awards (winner), Best foreign language film 1955 and the Movie was included in the Time Magazines All-Time 100 Movies in 2005 Umberto D. brings it all together with an exquisite taste on simplistic but very smart storytelling and Art Direction, added to a mind-blowing composition on a Direction of Photography that will stay in history as of one of the most exquisite movies ever made. Its pace and realism builds up to a painful dramatic hit where you cant help it but to feel unbelievably emotionally invested, and your pounding heart will hope for Umberto to find a solution to his tragedy. I cant tell you how much love I feel for this movie Umberto D, that I just happened to be asked to watch by my teacher from my Cinema class, but what I can tell you right at this moment, is that moments like these one, when you discover a new movie that you feel it has changed it all in you, is probably one of the most amazing things that can ever happen to you as a passionate film lover. Do yourself a favor, and watch Umberto D. Dennis Velasco
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 22:39:02 +0000
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