La Strada [1954 film]

A girl is sold to a traveling performer.

The first time I saw it, I appreciated it but didn't really like it. The more I thought about it, though, the more it grew on me. What's interesting about that is that I kept thinking about it. I'd seen it once, more than four years ago, but when I watched it for the second time, a couple days ago, it was as familiar as watching a movie I'd grown up on. Gelsomina leaves her mark. Even though it's a slow, often boring movie, I have to admit it's become important to me; it takes up a surprisingly large space in my cultural universe.

Concept: B
Story: B
Characters: A
Dialog: B
Pacing: D
Cinematography: B
Special effects/design: B
Acting: A
Music: A

Enjoyment: A plus

GPA: 3.3/4

(Jun. 2012)

A história trágica, mas edificante, apresentada em forma de road movie, serve como veículo para os personagens principais se conhecerem. Extremamente tocante e emocional, e sempre apresentada em uma base sutil, oferecendo alguns momentos amargos também (Gelsomina tentando esconder suas lágrimas das freiras quando ela está saindo da igreja com Zampanò que tentou rouba-la). Tudo espontâneo e mágico. Mas palavras não fazem justiça. Você não ficará desapontado. Fellini usou apenas elementos simples, crus e realistas da vida cotidiana.

"I've only seen 'La Strada' (1954), but that was enough to convince me that he is the most poetic talent to have emerged from the Italian Cinema." (1957 Interview)

--- Stanley Kubrick on Federico Fellini