Review of Open City (2008) by Paul J — 09 Sep 2010
Indescribably unique. Rossellini's first major film is a big, angry thrill ride that says a lot about the strength of human will and manages also to be one of the tensest and most exciting movies of the Italian neorealism movement.
The key to the film's success is in its cast of characters; it's a group of about a dozen and there isn't a performance short of extraordinary in the whole bunch. Anna Magnani is brilliant, as is typical, and I find the character of Don Pietro (played by Aldo Fabrizi) to be one of the most compelling cinematic heroes ever committed to film.
He seems to transcend the medium and becomes an icon not only for the then imprisoned people of Italy but for anyone anywhere at any time who fights for freedom. It's a film which started as a ferocious statement that needed to be made and it stands today as one of the most powerful illustrations of the force and ability of community.
This review of Open City (2008) was written by Paul J on 09 Sep 2010.
Open City has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
