Review of Umberto D. (1952) by Dave J — 11 Sep 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012.
(1952) Umberto D.
(In Italian with English subtitles).
DRAMA/ SOCIAL COMMENTARY/ NEO-REALIST.
To the average viewer it's long, boring and plotless but to others it's the reflection about how it used to be during that particular "Neo-realist" time and that was Italy as it used to be. Upon seeing it almost seemed like a continuation of Vittorio De Sica's other hit "The Bicycle Thief"/ "The Bicycle Thieves" made in 1948 except that instead of a young man, we are taken under the wing of an elderly person and his name is Umberto Domenico Ferrari playing with a "subtley" performance by Carlo Battisti hence the title. He's living with his pension renting from a landlady who appears to overcharge him as opposed to living somewhere else- it is obvious to the audience that she's doing anything she can to get rid of him but as a result of his pride he stands firmly tall refusing to move anywhere else, and also because he's stayed their for a long time and it may not be easy to just live somewhere else. It is evident that he needs money and throughout the film we the audience get to witness Umberto's daily life as he struggles takes us day to day, and it is not the most appealing for at times it's hard to sympathize with him if he doesn't want to adapt, for instance theirs a scene somewhere during the film where upon looking at a successful begger and he contemplates trying it but decides that he is way too proud and makes his dog Filip to do it instead ducking somewhere and instructing him to hold up his hat but of course fails. One other point is that they're alot of "nuances" that will not be apparent to first time movie watchers, but demands repeated viewings to all others because they're plenty.
It is said to be the director Vittorio De Sica's personal favorite film he's ever made since the movie's title Umberto is really his father's name and it was his dad that encouraged him to make it as well. The Italian government at the time even refused to be shown overseas since he almost felt that it was personal attack on him and the rules that's been laid out.
3 out of 4.
This review of Umberto D. (1952) was written by Dave J on 11 Sep 2012.
Umberto D. has generally received very positive reviews.
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