La Strada (1954)
Grade: 56
Every now and then I come across a film that is universally acclaimed, but when I finally see it, I cannot give it a high grade. This is always a downer experience for me, for I would much preferred to have enjoyed the film as others have. I end up writing a review that will convince no one, and will simply generate strong disagreement. Such is the case for Italian writer/director Federico Fellini's "La Strada", which translates to "The Road" in English.
"La Strada" has received universal critical praise. It was the first Oscar winner in the category of Best Foreign Language Film. The British Academy Awards nominated it for Best Film, and it won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Foreign Language film. It won at the Bodil Festival for Best European Film. "La Strada" remains highly regarded today, especially given the success of Fellini's subsequent films.
"La Strada" starred Fellini's wife, Giulietta Masina, who plays a simple peasant woman named Gelsomina. She is sold in marriage to Zampano (Anthony Quinn), a growling bear of a man who ekes out a living as a circus and street performer. Their marriage is not happy, but Gelsomina stays with Zampano because she doesn't want him to go through life alone. That is to say, she loves him despite his abusive and animalistic ways. By film's end, it is apparent that Zampano has loved her in return.
Zampano joins a circus, where he is ridiculed by Matto (Richard Basehart), an engaging clown. Matto befriends Gelsomina, and teaches her that despite the humbleness of her life, she is not worthless. Soon, however, Zampano attacks Matto, resulting in tragedies for all concerned.
I feel sorry for Gelsomina, Matto and even Zampano. The characters have depth and are well cast: Quinn reminds me of Toshiro Mifune when playing a wild man, and Masina is a capable mime. Still, the magic that so many others have found in "La Strada" completely escapes me. Quinn does his 'lungs of iron' routine over and over. A truck is dumped over a bridge and bursts in flames, which seems unlikely and out of place. Basehart only has a few scenes, and Quinn's character is limited, so the film's worth rests on Masina's character and performance. Her performance is good, but her character is a simpleton, capable only of alternately smiling and moping. Zampano's fist-pounding misery at film's end also seems unlikely for his brutish, unreflective character.
But, this is only my opinion, and it has to be tempered by the fact that nearly everyone else who has seen the film thinks much better of it.
briankoller@usa.net http://members.tripod.com/~Brian_Koller/movies.html
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