Review of La Strada (1954) by Grant S — 10 Nov 2017

Gelsomina lives a quiet life with her mother and younger three sisters. However, this sheltered existence is shattered when a travelling showman, Zampano, pays her mother so that Gelsomina will travel with and work for him. She is initially a reluctant participant in his line of work but soon tries to make the most of it, even learning some new skills. However, she has to contend with his brutish, unfeeling behaviour.

Superb, emotional movie, written and directed by Federico Fellini. Quite a harrowing journey as Fellini here is an emotional sadist, heaping torment on the most innocent of souls. He toys with the audience, offering glimmers of hope and a promise of a better turn of events, only to dash these hopes soon thereafter.

A similar theme to The Nights of Cabiria, released three years later, as we have an incredibly engaging and likable leading character trying to find something positive in a cynical, uncaring world.

As with The Nights of Cabiria, while Fellini's plot and direction are brilliant, the movie is made by Giuletta Masina (his wife, incidentally). She is perfect as Gelsomina, mixing Chaplinesque physical comedy with heartbreaking innocence and forlornness. One cannot help but be engaging by her character and empathise with her plight. With her character sucking you into the narrative, you are at the mercy of Fellini's incredibly moving plot.

Superb movie, Fellini's finest.