Review of Nights of Cabiria (1957) by Austin E — 26 Jul 2008

While my wife absolutely hated this film because it seemed so despairing, I loved it. It's about a prostitute who continues to try to find love even though each man tries to take her money, or just use her in general.

It's certainly a horrible life, but at the same time, Masina plays Cabiria so well that even in the midst of complete despair, she has this look about her - a tenacity, a perseverance, that seems both totally fantastical while also more true than not.