Review of Nights of Cabiria (1957) by Michael C — 12 Dec 2009

This follow-up to Fellini's other movie of this era with his wife Giulietta Masina is similar to the first film, La Strada, in that it depicts Masina's character as a woman who encounters several tragic and heartbreaking situations, and tries to remain optimistic throughout the entire film.

But it isn't a mere repeat; in the first film Masina is naive, young, gentle, and even though she has the strength to remain upbeat throught La Strada, the tragedy was that it was apparent she would eventually break to the tyranny and be destroyed by it.

La Strada was a story that could only end in sorrow and tragedy, and that was part of its brilliance. In Nights of Cabiria, we are treated to a completely different role for Masina: Cabiria, a bold, brash, confident, stubborn, and strong-willed prostitute who has lived through quite a bit.

She repeatedly finds herself getting beaten and bruised by life and her pursuit for true love, but where her character in La Strada continued to look as if she would crumble after just one more abuse, Cabiria has a steel will and seems to take every defeat in stride.

This film also ends in tragedy as well, but in a way it's even more potent than La Stradas, as it a much stronger woman who is torn down. It also catches you by surprise much more than the previous film and while both our certainly masterpieces, this one stands head and shoulders above it.

And once again, Masina is astounding. To say she is probably one of the best actresses I've seen in Italian film is accurate. But the more surprising fact is this; to say that she is one of the best actresses I have seen on film in general is also likely accurate.

Even at the conclusion when all seems lost, Cabiria seems to pick herself up after heartbreak and walk tall.