Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

Film #3 of my World Arts: Film class (#2 being Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon which I really didn’t feel inclined to review) is Bicycle Thieves - at least, that’s what we’ve been calling it.

Set in post-war Italy, 1948, Antonio Ricci has been out of work for at least two years, and finally his name has been called to receive a position and gain new, and very welcomed, income for his family. After all, he has his son Bruno, his wife, and a baby to provide for. The one condition? Antonio needs a bicycle. Well, he and his wife manage to obtain one and Antonio goes off to work, a happy man.

However, the movie wouldn’t be titled the way it is without a bicycle being stolen, and whose bicycle is it? I’m sure you can guess – Antonio’s. It’s snatched right as he is in the middle of work, and he is unable to chase the thief down. From there it is up to Antonio to get his bicycle back, if at all possible.

Initially I was going to give this film four stars. I think this is mostly because of things I felt and considered which really apply to me in this time frame instead of a time I know nothing about, having never experienced it and thus have no right to talk about. But after reading an article by Millicent Marcus, I am able to appreciate many of the little things I didn’t notice before. He brought up many good points that I failed to see or did see and failed to cultivate as I should have in my mind, such as a scene at a restaurant depicting class differences, and the larger role Bruno actually plays. I don’t mean that you need outside information to supplement the film – it really does speak for itself, you just need to be aware of what you’re watching.

It’s neorealism – bust out a video camera and enjoy. The actors aren’t professionals (indeed, Antonio’s character is played by Lamberto Maggiorani, a factory worker who simply brought in his son for the part of Antonio’s son Bruno, and the director De Sica decided he really liked the father instead), and everything is shot on location, no additives or preservatives. The purpose is to depict everyday life, which may turn some people off – after all, who likes to watch the misery of others? Okay, well some of you do, but most people don’t. Most people want good times and noodle salad, or at least a happy ending. Antonio struggles to find his bicycle amidst so many obstacles; an indifferent police officer, the vast area he must search, the possibility of it getting dismantled and sold as parts at a fair, and many other things. All along his son Bruno tags at his side as a constant reminder of what is at stake if this bike isn’t found. If he wasn’t there it would be easier to be lost in the search for the bike rather than the importance of the search as well as the huge importance of the bike. And to add insult to injury, throughout the entire film Antonio’s vision is beset with bikes like never-ending confetti; as if everyone, or nearly everyone, has a bike except him.

There is a lot more to be said for this movie that I’d love to expound upon, but as usual I’d rather let people discover it for themselves if they are so inclined. I am under the impression that there is a colored version out there, but the movie I saw was in black and white, which I believe I would prefer because I think compared to color, it gives the picture a lot more of an austere sentiment to it, especially if the colors added were bright and chipper. No, no, no. The only problem with black and white are the subtitles. The subtitles were in white so there were times where I couldn’t see what a few words were and I was unsure of what ha just been said. But that didn’t happen often enough for me to get lost or frustrated.

It’s a good movie, even if the ending is, well, what it is, and if you’re like me and hate ironic events because you’re really rooting for the poor guy. Right as the bike was being stolen I wondered to myself, “How many times does this happen to these poor guys on the job?” But you just have to remember that this is life, life is not fair, and people suck. This movie wasn’t made for sheer entertainment value; De Sica had a purpose, and one he pulled off very well indeed.

NT

Recommended: Yes

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