Every now and then I come across a film that is universally acclaimed, but when I finally see it, I cannot give it a high grade. This is always a downer experience for me, for I would much preferred to have enjoyed the film as others have. I end up writing a review that will convince no one, and will simply generate strong disagreement. Such is the case for Italian writer/director Federico Fellini's "La Strada", which translates to "The Road" in English.
"La Strada" has received universal critical
praise. It was the first Oscar winner in the
category of Best Foreign Language Film. The
British Academy Awards nominated it for Best
Film, and it won the New York Film Critics Circle
Award for Best Foreign Language film. It won at
the Bodil Festival for Best European Film. "La
Strada" remains highly regarded today, especially
given the success of Fellini's subsequent films.
"La Strada" starred Fellini's wife, Giulietta
Masina, who plays a simple peasant woman named
Gelsomina. She is sold in marriage to Zampano
(Anthony Quinn), a growling bear of a man who
ekes out a living as a circus and street
performer. Their marriage is not happy, but
Gelsomina stays with Zampano because she doesn't
want him to go through life alone. That is to
say, she loves him despite his abusive and
animalistic ways. By film's end, it is apparent
that Zampano has loved her in return.
Zampano joins a circus, where he is ridiculed by
Matto (Richard Basehart), an engaging clown.
Matto befriends Gelsomina, and teaches her that
despite the humbleness of her life, she is not
worthless. Soon, however, Zampano attacks Matto,
resulting in tragedies for all concerned.
I feel sorry for Gelsomina, Matto and even
Zampano. The characters have depth and are well
cast: Quinn reminds me of Toshiro Mifune when
playing a wild man, and Masina is a capable mime.
Still, the magic that so many others have found
in "La Strada" completely escapes me. Quinn does
his 'lungs of iron' routine over and over. A
truck is dumped over a bridge and bursts in
flames, which seems unlikely and out of place.
Basehart only has a few scenes, and Quinn's
character is limited, so the film's worth rests
on Masina's character and performance. Her
performance is good, but her character is a
simpleton, capable only of alternately smiling
and moping. Zampano's fist-pounding misery at
film's end also seems unlikely for his brutish,
unreflective character.
But, this is only my opinion, and it has to be
tempered by the fact that nearly everyone else
who has seen the film thinks much better of it.
(56/100)
Zampano Anthony Quinn a performer in a traveling carnival outside of Rome purchases the young poor Gelsomina Giulietta Masina to be his wife and assis...More at Family Video
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.