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trolley freak
30Apr12
This jewel of the Italian neo-realist movement is a masterpiece of World Cinema but at the time of release wasn't a success and proved to be a setback in the career of De Sica, the seeker of truth. A continuation of his collaboration with screenwriter Zavattini which had already produced the likes of Shoeshine and Bicycle Thieves, it tells the story of an old man's struggle to survive in an uncaring world. Splendid..
crmantao likes this
Joel
24Apr12
Such simplicity only heightens the sense of pure beauty in this film. I've always been a sucker for a film that strips away a lot of the excess to focus simply on one man and his struggles. So this film definitely had me in it's crosshairs. A beautiful addition to the neorealist school and a definite highlight for me.
Chris Jones
12Apr12
I'll give a couple more films from the genre a shot but I think it might just be time for me to admit that Neorealism is not my cup of tea.
Ross Patterson
18Feb12
Even the (sometimes obvious) untrained actors cannot detract from the pathos in Umberto D. Heartbreaking in some places; De Sica is a master at tugging on the heartstrings. And Maria-Pia Casilio is absolutely adorable.
Christopher Taylor
26Jul11
My favorite De Sica film. Everything about it is challenging to the viewer as much as the protagonist. My question is what if he didn't have the dog? And where does that leave the viewer?
oldfilmsflicker likes this
WhatsUpWill
17May11
De Sica uses the cinematic language to give a voice to those who can't and/or won't speak. A fine film. The scene where he's contemplating whether or not he should beg is very well done. Wasn't exactly sure what he was doing first.
ruby stevens
8Mar11
a masterful example of emotional manipulation of the audience using cute animals
Gylfi Reynisson
4Mar11
You really start to care about that poor old man and his dog. Minor complaint is the soundtrack, sometimes got on my nerves.
Kamran
28Oct10
The 2nd film of De Sica's I have viewed (Bicycle Thieves being the first), and I was extremely impressed. I don't think I've ever felt so much sympathy or empathy for a character in a film before. The film really makes you feel the malaise and anguish its depicting. It is both heartbreaking and uplifting. I may even prefer it to Bicycle Thieves (and that is a seriously bold statement seeing as I love Bicycle Thieves)
Anita Nielson
22Jul10
I must be one of a very few people who dislike Italian Neorealist films. I understand it's social commentary and human compassion and emotion, but I can't bring myself to like it.
Jeff Mendoza
19May10
i saw this last night as well as The Bicycle Thief they were both great films! I'm beginning to like neo-realistic films.
sayurkangkung
22Mar10
My favorite neorealist-film so far, yeah i even love it more than Bicycle Thieves.
In An Expression Of The Inexpressible
29Nov09
It's a simple but very well done social drama, that shows in perfection the life of an old proud man who has his dog to care about but has problems to get through the days. Great picturing of his dilemmas, dispear but also the moments of hope and love, spiced up with some cute humor. Very lovable.
previewfilms
16Nov09
My dad his dog and my favorite De Sica film. First watched at a sad time in our lives, it gave us inspiration. Flike mans best friend
Francis
8Sep09
De Sica’s sympathetic construct starts to wear thin with this entry. A beautifully shot movie, for sure. However, the film is so stylized (echoes of Citizen Kane) that it creates an aesthetic inconsistency between the visuals and the underlying social themes. Since it borrows heavily from Welles’ cinematic devices, I don’t view Umberto D. as a true neorealist piece.
