Review of La Strada (1954) by Sabrina I — 02 Mar 2011

LA STRADA is a heartbreaking tale about loneliness and the human connection. The film has two main characters - Zampano and Gelsomia. Zampano is a carnival circus performer and Gelsomia is his assistant.

Both are very different from each other evident in of course the way they act but also the way they both perceive the world around them. Gelsomia will stop and notice the beauty in nature. She can appreciate the little things in life and believes in the gift of giving to others.

She seeks love and is open to new possibilities. Zampano on the other hand is a man who only knows he has to eat, sleep and keep moving on with life. He rejects all of the warmth and love Gelsomia gives to him.

He is a cold and bitter person who mistreats her constantly, for no apparent reason. However the beauty of LA STRADA is that these two people who are polar opposites end up connecting with one another.

Despite all the tension and at times hatred between them - neither ever leaves ones side. Both character's are fascinating in their own way. Though we don't know a lot about Zampano we understand why he is the way he is.

Life is not easy and it hasn't been easy for him. I felt like he was only tough on the outside so he could hide his soft interior. Though for the most part, he is an unlikeable character because of the way he treats his poor assistant.

Gelsomia is a very talented performer but isn't allowed by Zampano is expand on her talents, he would rather see her in his shadow. Gelsomia struggles throughout the film to gain the confidence that she needs to move on, away from Zampano.

So she could either achieve success on her own terms or stay with him and suffer from his cruelty. She has trouble being on her own, all alone without him. She felt like she needed that comfort, that connection more than she needed success.

She wanted to be the important part of his life, as she put it the 'reason' he kept on going. The performances are excellent all around. Giulietta stands out for me. She brings her character to life, her performance is tender and human.

The viewer becomes invested in her character as we follow her on her journey. Since the film is more episodic rather having an actual narrative, it's important to be able to connect with the characters.

LA STRADA may seem like a simple film but it's a work of art. It transcends it's simplicity to become something more deep and profoundly moving. This film is very accessible unlike Fellini's later more surreal works.

Fellini was a master storyteller - LA STRADA is proof of that.