Review of Nights of Cabiria (1957) by Douglas H — 03 Apr 2009

Once overlooked somewhat in the wake of Fellini's other masterpieces La Strada, La Dolce Vita and 8 1/2, Nights of Cabiria is, imo, the greatest film ever made. That means there must be a why. So do I start from Giulietta Masina's overwhelming performance, one that dwarfs even her role in La Strada. It is often argued as the finest performance in film history with it's combination of comic timing, internalized emotion, and ferocious intensity. The screenplay is a perfect mixture of the comedic, the tragic and the in-between. The score is entrancing. The direction is by Fellini of course which means jawdropping compositions, a pace that is always right, and a willingness to break away from what we think must come next in terms of shot selection. The beginning immediately involves the viewer as Cabiria is thrown in the water. Several classic scenes unfold - the hypnotist, the date with an actor, the journey to the church - but it is a once deleted scene involving a man that helps the homeless that best sets up the ending. And what an ending it is. If Masina's performance is beyond legendary, the ending may be even more beloved if somehow that is possible. It is staggering and in terms of conflicting emotions, only the recent Pan's Labyrinth comes close to conjuring such dueling reactions.

That said though these are all elements. The greatness of the film is in it's capturing of strength and vulnerability that reside in all of us, our capacity to hope and our capacity to resiliency when hope is dashed. It is as beautiful a document of humanity as ever put on screen and it is proof of how deeply into one's heart a film can reach.