Review of Open City (2008) by Jonathan S — 14 Mar 2012
It may be a landmark in Italian neo-realist cinema but sod that: Roberto Rossellini's is a compelling drama about the ravages of war on everyday folk. Tracing the hunting down, capture and torture of a Communist resistance leader (Pagliero) by the Gestapo, Rossellini replaces studio-system gloss with a tangible, intense naturalism, throwing in details (shots of toilets, babies on potties) that mainstream films would not dare show.
Much has been made of its non professional cast, but two of the standouts come from pros: Magnagni as a pregnant Communist sympathizer and Fabrizzi as a noble priest.The beginning of the movement neorealist Italian, with a plea to the honesty.
This review of Open City (2008) was written by Jonathan S on 14 Mar 2012.
Open City has generally received positive reviews.
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