Anyone see 'The Bicycle Thief'?

[devilgrrl]

Better know as 'Ladri di biciclette' in most parts of Italy. Anyway, I saw this movie yesterday - loved it - and was wondering if anyone else has seen it.

[neuvocat]

1. Yep.

Not much to say on it other than it was just sad.

[Book Lover]

2. What a movie!

Yes, the Italian title makes more sense - "The Bicycle Theives" - when you know about the whole movie.

FWIW - after my mom's death in January, I sat my father (native Italian who left a little while after after WWII) down and made him watch Umberto D, Cinema Paradiso, and Johnny Stecchino. He declared that Umberto D best captured the Italian heart and mindset, espeically after the war. He wasn't too crazy about Cinema, and Stecchino made him laugh till he cried :-)

[devilgrrl]

4. Umberto D was mind-blowing!

Wasn't Vittorio De Sica f***ing brilliant or what? Have you seen 'Two Women' (La Ciociara)? It'll knock you off your chair and you'll have a much better appreciation for Sophia Loren's acting. I only knew her as being a "glamour girl", boy, was I wrong.

I'm glad to here that your dad enjoyed those movies, I can't wait for 'Johnny Stecchino' comes out on DVD. If you like Roberto Benigni, check out 'Il Mostro', it'll have you rolling on the floor.

[Book Lover]

7. When he holds

out his hand to beg, then draws it away, "checking for rain"... I'm tearing up again!

Yes, I have seen La Ciociara and loved it. When I grow up, I want to be half as good looking or talented as Signora Loren.

I will find and send him "Il Mostro." I want to send him things to give him cheer, since I and my family are about 3,000 miles away... Thanks for the recommendation!

[devilgrrl]

9. The part that got to me was...

at the end where 'Flike' breaks away and is skittish about Umberto coming near him. It blew my gourd! As did the begging scene. Powerful stuff.

After 'La Ciociara' I did some studying up on Signora Loren and from what I was able to gather - she's pretty down to earth and not all that impressed with herself. She seems to remember where she came from, which isn't much different from 'La Ciociara.'

[TreasonousBastard]

10. "Two Women"!!!!!

That's on my top 10 list.

La Loren and Di Sica is a wicked combination. Hollywood rarely used her like she should have been used.

[devilgrrl]

11. I couldn't agree with you more...

Hollywood did totally waste her talent, she should have stayed in Italy.

[TreasonousBastard]

3. Many years ago...

and you have good taste-- it appears on a lot of Top 10 lists.

I suppose I'm not the only one who misses the Golden Age of Italian cinema.

[devilgrrl]

5. The Italians still produce good stuff...

though it would be fun to see a resurgence onto the international stage.

Currently, there's an Italian film in theaters called 'I'm not scared' that's supposed be good - I'll have to check it out.

[TreasonousBastard]

12. Well, I know...

it's not completely over, and they all haven't gone Hollywood, but I honestly haven't followed European movies that much for years now.

Anything by Lina Wertmuller, is marvelous, but I haven't seen her latest stuff.

"Bread and Chocolate" is another one in the Top 10, although it's from the 70's.

If you see no other movie this year, find "Bread and Chocolate." IMDB has a great quote-- "You'll laugh until your heart breaks."

And you will.

[stinkeefresh]

6. Italian neo-realism

(of which The Bicycle Thief is the most famous example) is known for not only using real locations, but real people (non actors) for as many of the roles as possible, including the leads. Even the stories were drawn from the people of the town where a film was to be made.

It was a very rebellious form of cinema, around the same time as the French new wave. (and decades before the American new wave, which should be starting any minute now...)

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

8. American new wave... is that the one that that doesn't involve fiery car

crashes and computer generated everything?

[DS1]

14. Umberto D would be another fine example

Some gritty stuff

[kevinam]

13. Haven't seen the movie...

but there is a really really good band that goes by that name. It is supposed to be a very good movie though...Kevin.