Umberto D.
Directed by:
Vittorio De SicaScreenplay:
Cesare ZavattiniCinematography:
G.R. AldoComposer:
Alessandro CicogniniCast:
Carlo Battisti, Maria Pia Casilio, Lina Gennari, Ileana Simova, Lamberto Maggiorani, Memmo CarotenutoPlots(1)
Shot on location with a cast of nonprofessional actors, Vittorio De Sica's neorealist masterpiece follows Umberto D., an elderly pensioner, as he struggles to make ends meet during Italy's postwar economic boom. Alone except for his dog, Flike, Umberto strives to maintain his dignity while trying to survive in a city where traditional human kindness seems to have lost out to the forces of modernization. Umberto's simple quest to fulfill the most fundamental human needs food, shelter, companionship is one of the most heartbreaking stories ever filmed and an essential classic of world cinema. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (3)
An intriguing social commentary on post-war Italy. The protagonist, Umberto, struggles to meet his basic needs, yet constantly pulls out crumpled lira from his pocket like someone cleaning out a mailbox stuffed with junk mail. Inflation is a real pain. And then there's his dog, Flike, who adds an emotional punch, even though Umberto, despite his love for the dog, doesn’t always treat him well. It's a compelling topic, especially for those unfamiliar with true hardship. This film might just open their eyes.
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Originally, I gave this film 4 stars, but then I thought about it and realized how many films have recently annoyed or simply disappointed me and how rare it is to come across a film that has all the signs of a precise craft, has a clearly legible signature, and deals with a strong theme. I'm not saying that this is the best De Sica film I've ever seen, and I'm not saying that this is the best piece of Italian neorealism, and for a while, I struggled with whether De Sica went a little too far into cheap sentimentality. But in the end, I think he balanced it excellently, and the creative courage that is demonstrated by daring to cast non-actors in the lead roles is something I generally appreciate. Umberto D. is a film about the desperate struggle to maintain dignity in a situation where you have no tricks up your sleeve and your fate amounts to constantly giving in, tightening your belt, and losing everything you used to love and care about. It is a film strong in its details, and convincing, and where the key issue, of course, is how digestible the story of an old helpless man in a hopeless situation will be for you. Personally, I claim that after quite a long time, this is a film that truly brought me joy. Overall impression: 90%.
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You might have something against neorealism, but when you watch this film, you simply have to be moved. It's such a beautiful yet simple story, one that is cruel but at the same time full of hope and the desire to live, that it's incredible how all of this could be combined into one cohesive whole. A small yet impactful film.
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