Liked this even better than Rome, Open City, despite a weak ending. The pathos here was enormous, using the naturalism of the performances to really amp up the tragedy of the otherwise mundane event. This is a simple story of a stolen bicycle, but the movie becomes something really universal. This is a picture about the downtrodden, about the unseen injustices that pervade the lives of the struggling. It was heartbreaking. It also features what I think might be my favorite performance by a child actor I’ve seen: Enzo Staiola.

The original title of the film is Ladri di biciclette.

‘Bicycle Thieves’ is a classic-era Italian film set in post-WW2 Italy during massive inflation and a collapsed economy. It’s a story about desperation and a family’s dreams tittering on the edge of being shattered. The two main characters are a father and son, Antonio and Bruno, respectively. Antonio is a poor, unemployed workingman struggling to make ends meet for his wife and two children. From a lucky draw, his name comes up for a job to hang film advertisement posters around town. The only requisite is he must have a personal bicycle to travel. He had pawned off his bicycle previously, but his wife sells their bedsheets to buy it back. As the title says, the bicycle gets stolen on his first day on the job, so his son and he set off to find the thief through the streets of Rome. The ingenious story is simple but packed with tension, drama, emotions, and heartbreaking scenes during the brief journey. Throughout it, you get honesty. And most importantly, it’s relatable regardless of who you are or where you come from, which makes it timeless. The film employs Italian neorealism, which clings close to attaining realism. The brilliant cinematography, directing, acting, music, and script all work together beautifully to create a realistic atmosphere. Acting, especially, is what sold the story to me. It’s amazing considering the actors didn’t have any acting experience or training because the director wanted it to feel real. Professional actors wouldn’t feel as real as someone new to it. You feel empathy for the two and their entire livelihood coming down to a bike they must get back. Little Bruno adds charm to complement his father’s disgust with the thief, as the two learn and grow from each other. The brilliant ending scene is what I will always remember about this film as their desperation comes together to a head. I can’t say anything about it without spoiling. Would I recommend it? Yes, if you have no issues with subtitles. It’s a poignant and heartfelt film from start to finish. The film is also short and presented without fluff scenes.

A good story about a working class father. He tried his best and worst to get his bicycle back.