The Bicycle Theif
A sad movie, with a sad ending :(
The fim "Bicycle Theif" was a very depressing and dark. I really hate movies like this because all they try to do is depress you and make you feel bad for the characters. In my class for Art int- Film we had to vote either on this film or a musical that was a bit funny. I voted for the musical so the class would be very cheerfull, but this film was chosen. I was soo mad because I wanted to write a review of a movie that the whole class can enjoy. I really dont think this film is my type but, there were some scenes that I did enjoy. It was'nt too bad.
The film starts out by introducing Antonio Ricci (Lamberto Maggiorani) an unemployed worker. He's looking for a job to support his family which includes his wife Maria, (Lianella Carell) his six year-old son Bruno, (Enzo Staiola) and new born baby. They live in a very depressed post-war economy at that time in Rome, Italy. Long story short, Antonio gets a job and his whole family is very excited and happy that their father/husband has obtained a job. On the first day of the job Antonio begins working by posting flyers around the city for advertisement. I really hate this next part because its not fair that a honest working person has to go through such bad luck and misfortune. Although I think everyone at that time was having a bad time, specialy with the economic situation. Ok, so some random guy is shown stalking Antonio and has his eye on the bicycle that Antonio owns (which is rightfully his!) and just takes the bicycle and begins to leave. Antonio is surprised and begins to scream theif but unfortunately nobody aids him in obtaining his bicycle. He runs into the street and gets on a taxi to follow the man that stole his bike. A man tells him that the man their looking for has gone into the tunnel. So the taxi drives toward a man on a bike who appears to be the person their looking for, but sadly they have caught up to a random civilian and not the theif. Now at this point in the film I really hate the story and the whole plot because, now I know the movie is really going to revolve on finding the dam bicycle that has been stolen. I really wanted to help the character find his bike. I felt so helpless watching his bike being stolen and I felt even worse when nobody offered their help,and adding to that I was angered to find out that they did not find the theif that sopposedly was in the tunnel. What helpful advice that man gave. First of all, dont give advice to anyone that is'nt going to help them,but only dig their grave even deeper for them errrrrrrrrrr!!!!!! After that dissapointment of losing his bike he felt stressed and worried for his family's future. Worried, Antonio and his son Bruno set of to find the bike that had been stolen. Antonio's new job depended, on finding it. Antonio and Bruno went to a lady's house, she was a fortune teller/advice person that told the that if they dont find the bicycle now they will never find it ever again. They both left the lady's home and later on saw an old man that was talkin to or dealing business with the young man that stole Antonio's bike. They ran towards the young man but were unable to catch up to him. Its really weird that nobody helps Antonio huh.... They decided to follow the old man that was talking to the young man to mabey learn more info on where to find the young man. They followed the old man to a church where they managed to obtain the city or plaza where the young man lived. Though the only problem was that they didnt know where this city or plaza resined, and unfortunately the old man had evaded them and escaped their sight. Antonio was very tired and frustrated and sadly he let out what he felt onto Bruno by slapping him. Bruno got sad and mad and told his dad that he was going to tell his mom that Antonio had hit him. I thought it was funny and cute what he said. But, then Antonio really resented hitting Bruno because it really wasnt his fault that they were not able to find bike and it was not his fault that a man has to steal his Father's bike. Tired they sat on a bridge. Distracted, Antonio drifted from Bruno and left his side. Suddenly he heard screams shounting out saying that a boy was drowning. At that point Antonio thought the worst and what came to mind was losing his son. Scared he headed for the commotion to see if it was indeed his son luckily it was'nt. He looked back and atop of the stairs he saw his son sitting on the stairs. His face changed from worried to happy and so greatful that it was not his son. I really think that that was really lucky of Antonio not losing his son becuse if he did I would of gone nuts! I believe that material things dont matter as much as family does but in this case this family needs the bike in order for them to live. Thats why I think Antonio is really desperate abount finding his bicycle. Knowing that Antonio had his great son who was the only person who really helped him he took Bruno to eat at a restaurant. From the whole movie Ithought this next scene was the most posotive from the whole movie; I was glad. Antonio ordered Abottle of wine and two mozzerellas for them both. The reason Antonio ordered the mozzerellas was because next to them there was a wealthy or economically stable family who's son about the age of Bruno was eating a mozzerella. As this little kid ate strands from the cheese stretched very far and Bruno overlooked at what the other boy was eating. Antonio odered the same so Bruno would'nt feel lesser than the little boy. When Bruno ate he made long strands, showing the boy he can do it too. Getting closer to the ending the worst part comes so I wont say the ending because I dont feel like writing It. It's too negative and sad. But Ihave to say that both actors did a great job playing their role and conveying the message of the writer.
In my opinion the message or moral is (When the world comes down on you, keep your head up high and dont become what has damaged you because then you are the same as the person you hate, then you'll have no right to keep your head high because then you have just become your worst nightmare.) I give this film a thumbs up.
