Bicycle Thieves

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Diego M Bicycle Thieves (or Ladri di biciclette), directed by Vittorio De Sica, is a stark portrayal of post-war Italy’s hardships. The story follows Antonio Ricci, a man who, after securing a job that requires a bicycle, is forced to rely on his wife’s sacrifice of selling their bedsheets to buy one. When his bike is stolen on the job, Antonio and his young son, Bruno, desperately search for it, knowing that without it, Antonio will lose his livelihood. The film builds on Antonio’s escalating desperation, culminating in a moment where he steals a bicycle himself, witnessed by Bruno, leading to a profound emotional crisis. The film's static camerawork enhances the realism of the story, focusing on the characters' emotional journeys rather than flashy techniques. Notable is a scene where Bruno witnesses his father’s crime. The camera movement, paired with the actor’s portrayal, draws the audience into Bruno’s confusion and sorrow, creating a deep sense of empathy. As a key example of Italian neorealism, the film depicts the harsh reality of poverty, with a focus on social issues such as hunger and unemployment. The performances of the non-professional actors, including Lamberto Maggiorani as Antonio and Enzo Staiola as Bruno, are raw and authentic. Their powerful portrayal of the Ricci family’s plight draws viewers into their world. De Sica skillfully builds tension early on with a “fake-out” involving the bike, tricking the audience into thinking it will be stolen before it actually is, which heightens the emotional impact of the theft. As Antonio’s desperation grows, he becomes so consumed by finding the bike that he neglects his son, Bruno. Through Bruno’s eyes, the film highlights the brutal realities of poverty and how far a person will go to survive, even if it means compromising their morals. Bicycle Thieves ultimately conveys the idea that in extreme desperation, survival often trumps morality, leaving the audience with a lingering sense of despair and the harsh truth of social inequality. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/03/25 Full Review Luca D The only flaw in this movie is the fact that the father is so careless with his prized possession (no not his son, his bike obviously) other than that it's so emotional watching this father's desperation in trying to feed his family. A perfectly executed film. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/19/24 Full Review William B Best post-WW2 film I've ever watched. Must see movie. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/22/24 Full Review Stephen J A friend recommended this to me. He had it on DVD. The ratings are super high for a reason. I enjoyed the story, I enjoyed the acting. I enjoyed how everyone involved with the movie brought out the feeling of the culture at that time. If you find yourself complaining about this or that, think about how many many many other people lived their lives. And I loved the ending, as well! Note: for a while I thought the movie was just a little above average. Glad I stuck with it. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/19/24 Full Review Jens B 🚲 Rome after World War II: A father, unemployed for two years, finally gets a job putting up posters, but he absolutely needs a bicycle for it. After pawning the family's good bed linens, he manages to reclaim his own bike, only to have it stolen on the very first day of work. What follows is an emotional rollercoaster, with shifts between hope and resignation. The brilliance of Vittorio De Sica's classic of Italian Neorealism lies in the universal and timeless nature of the themes it touches upon. Anyone who has ever struggled with financial worries, been dependent on a job or something else, can easily relate to Antonio's situation. Moreover, the fact that Bruno is probably one of the best child characters in film history, as well as the film's ending, makes BICYCLE THIEVES both profoundly simple and deeply moving. It is rightly considered a classic. 🔮📿 Both sequences with the fortune teller are fantastic. The first is a textbook example of suspense, while the second offers a graceful insight into the mother's emotional world, who otherwise only appears significantly at the beginning of the film. 🫣 (And can someone please keep an eye on Bruno? He's nearly run over multiple times, keeps falling down, and gets lured by shady old men.) Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/22/24 Full Review Vishnu T The End Was So Emotional & Made Me Speechless💔 Special Mention To The Kid🙇 Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/05/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Bicycle Thieves

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