Review of Miracle in Milan (1951) by Kane M — 27 Aug 2007

Vittorio de Sica changes style and tone almost completely from his previous work, only maintaining, from his heartbreaking previous film, The Bicycle thief, the theme of people campaigning for social justice and dignity.

It seems that De Sica was aware of the effect that his last film had on audiences, and instead of making another picture that breaks our hearts, he made the uplifting Miracle in Milan, which fills said organ with joy, as well as putting some laughter in our bellies. This film is a crazy wonderful fairtale married to social realism; an explosion of creative ideas and sentiment that carries with it a genuine feeling of child-like energy, innocence and humour that infects you with it?s charm, not unlike the films simple minded, but magically kind and caring, Toto. However,I found, especially in the last act, that the surealism gets too arbitrary, and due to this , the film, in parts, lost my interest in it's last half hour.