Film Viewing Due Date: 6/30
6/18/11
Film 37: Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
Film Viewing Due Date: 6/30
La Strada Review
girl by locker says: I wanted to like this movie a lot more than I did. It is a Fellini film, after all, and he is one of the masters of cinema. But I didn’t really, if I’m honest with myself. Maybe I was in a bad mood or too tired when I started watching it, but it just kind of rubbed me the wrong way and, at times, I was bored.
La Strada is a journey movie combined with a love story and aside from Gelsomina (Giulietta Masina), the young girl Zampano (Anthony Quinn) buys from her mother to be his sidekick, none of the characters have any redeemable qualities. In fact, Gelsomina was the bright point of the movie for me – not because she was the one likable character but also because of her Chaplinesque performance that brought me back to the 1920’s of Cinema Cram. Masina did a great job with the role and really caught our hearts with her naiveté and innocence.
Anthony Quinn actually did a great job with his performance as well, but I had a hard time relating to his brutish behavior or feeling any emotion for him at the end when he realizes he loved Gelsomina. The final scene is Zampano sitting by the ocean, old, alone and drunk left to reflect on the choices of his life. It was a powerful image, and one of the reasons I see why people call Fellini a master. However, I couldn’t help but think that Zampano had choices and he screwed it all up. He ended up where he was because of his own actions and, movie or not, I have a hard time with that quality in people.
All that being said, I still give the movie 3/5 on Netflix, and I would like to see more Fellini movies. His movie was beautiful and artistic and would like to see more before I officially decide I’m not a fan of his work.
Juror #3 says: This is my second time watching La Strada. I'm glad I watched it again because I enjoyed it more this time. I'm a fan of the "European style" of film and appreciate the method of placing the camera in locations to observe rather than lead the audience or assist with telling the story. In doing so, each scene becomes a canvas and Fellini is masterful at painting gritty, bitter images. I thought Anthony Quinn (Zampano) did a terrific job portraying the hardened traveling strongman. Giulietta Masina (Gelsomina) had the puppy dog eyes that bring sorrow, but at times she annoyed me when apparently channeling her inner Charlie Chaplin. None-the-less, you feel for this quirky character - who I occassionaly wondered whether she was mentally handicapped.
I was completely engaged in this film but two things turned me off: 1) I would have preferred to have seen what happened to Gelsomina as opposed to being told, and, 2) I didn't understand the ending exactly. I enjoy thoughtful and challenging films but I can't say I completely got this one. And if the ending signified an enlightenment for Zampano then I don't buy it. I originally rated the film 3/5 stars on Netflix and although I would raise it half a star if I could, I'll keep my rating as is. 3/5.
6/2/11
Film 36: La Strada (1954)
From Wikipedia: Bob Dylan cites La Strada as an influence for the song "Mr. Tambourine Man"
Kris Kristofferson has said that La Strada was an inspiration for the song "Me and Bobby McGee", which is heard in the road movie Two-Lane Blacktop.
Film Viewing Due Date: 6/14
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