Bicycles, bicycles everywhere and not a one to ride
Our second movie is now in the books. And it turns out I get way too emotionally invested in Italian Neorealism. It was all very sad and very dark and very Italian. If you’re looking for a more happy-go-lucky film about a man in search of his bike, I would recommend Pee-wee Herman’s Big Adventure instead.
When I was in the research period for this project, I fortuitously discovered a Dallas theater a stone’s throw away from my apartment that hosts a criterion-collection series every Tuesday night. Lucky for me; unlucky for my boyfriend. Can you say “date night”, babe?
The Magnolia Theater in Dallas showed the Italian film The Bicycle Thieves last Tuesday. And we went to it. And now we share.
Movie: Bicycle Thieves, Ladri di biciclette (1948)
Cast: All amateur Italian actors (it’s part of the whole Italian Neoralist appeal)
Had I Seen It Before: No
Awards: It was given an Academy Honorary Award in 1950. It’s the Oscar’s way of admitting something is really, really good but unsure of how to fit it in to their regular repertoire of award categories
Italian neorealism: also known as the Golden Age of Italian Cinema, is a film movement characterized by stories set amongst the poor and the working class, filmed on location, frequently using non-professional actors.
Vittiorio De Sica’s 1948 Neoralist masterpiece depicts life in Rome during the post WWII era- where the country is desperately trying to rebuild after the destruction of the war and many of the country’s working class are hard-pressed to find work. The film introduces Antonio Ricci as he waits in line alongside other unemployed members of the community, waiting for job placements. Lo and behold, he gets one [a job], and a good one at that. Antonio’s wife, Maria, sells her bed sheets in order to retrieve Antonio’s previously-pawned bicycle, the one prerequisite for the job, and together the family prepares for Antonio’s coveted first day of work.
You have the opportunity to stop the film now - Get up. LEAVE.
If you do, you’ll always remember the story as one impoverished man finds a great job. Gets his bike back. Happy wife and happy life.
If you choose to stay… Well, you’ll remember I warned you.
The movie plot, in a nutshell
Antonio’s bike is stolen the next day (I know I promised no spoilers – but, c’mon people, it’s in the title). For the remainder of the film, Antonio with the help of his full-blooded Italian son Bruno desperately search for the bike - essentially his family’s meal ticket. It’s a beautiful film that will tear your heart up and stomp it into a million pieces – if you happen to find my heart somewhere along in the carnage, please return it to Dallas.
“You live and you suffer”
The Bicycle Thieves is a fairly simple storyline – man goes in search of this stolen bicycle – but across the big screen it resonated more as a parable to me. And in that why, the film packs one hell of an emotional punch. It’s exploration into heavy, ubiquitous topics such as poverty, shame, dignity and justice, in my mind, make the film just as relevant today as it was 66 years ago.
Even though the 82 minute runtime proved to puree my heart, two things made up for it. Number one: Antonio Ricci’s son Bruno, played by Enzo Staiola.
Meet Life in Colour’s superlative winner for Best Hair. I’m aware I’m only 2 out of 100 movies in, but, folks, sometimes when you know you just know
Number two: the Magnolia Theater itself. I wish I could say that Wolf and I were the token young, hipster couple at the event but, sadly, that wasn’t the case (1 of 2 isn’t bad). It was evident we were in the company of Tuesday night regulars, with their effervescent leader Ken – moderator and assumed curator of the film collection. Ken is cinema’s Alex Trebek; after I had the audacity to tell him I was a film blogger, we found ourselves pulled in to a 35 minute conversation about all-things-cinematography. Then again, he did give us a pair of free movie passes to come again next week. So yeah, as always – pros and cons guys, pros and cons.
Live in Dallas like me? Visit the Magnolia theater on Tuesday nights to meet Ken for yourself. You may even witness the patron with the jigsaw tattoo covering half his face … I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried.
And if you decide to watch this film like I did, have a strong drink waiting for you at home. Nurse the inevitable heartbreak