Review of Umberto D. (1952) by Dfw F — 16 Jan 2010

Umberto D 1952 Directed by Vittorio De La Sica Much has been written about this landmark masterpiece from Vittorio De Sica. There aren't many serious films about aging. I first saw it as a young man in college in 1972 at the Texas Tech University Center Auditorium.

At 19 I was thoroughly moved by this story of old age, poverty, & near-despair! I cannot recall if I have seen his movie Bicycle Thieves. Umberto Domenico Ferrari, (Carlo Battisti in real life a university professor) an elderly & retired civil servant, is desperately trying to maintain a decent standard of living on a rapidly dwindling state pension.

Bankrupt and lonely, an old man (Carlo Battisti) considers committing suicide. Since he has only a devoted dog and a maid (Lina Genneri) as his companions, things look bleak -- until one day when the old man's luck changes, giving him new hope.

Director Vittorio De Sica's touching portrait of one man's effort to retain his pride in the face of adversity is a treasure of Italian post-war cinema. This is one of the greatest Italian Neorealist movies of the 1950s & 1960s.

The plot has a very Dickens type outlook of bleak darkness & almost despair. Purely character drive this is a simple story of an older man's loneliness & poverty. The director & screen writer allow this older gentleman to continue his downward spiral as we watch squashing our naive notion of deliverance (or escape).

It is a great film without being to overtly sentimental. The acting in this film is absolutely superb. Carlo Battisti, despite having never acted before, is wonderful as the titular character; his face is a fascinating blend of stubborn dignity weariness of life.

Maria Pia-Casilio, who plays the maid, is just as good as evoking life's loneliness & quiet desperation. The supporting cast is also very strong. De Sica makes some fascinating commentary on the human condition, specifically the loneliness & depression the older generation in our society face.

I wonder what will happen to Umberto, though. Was his dog, Flick, his salvation, or the prolongation of his despair? A great unblinking film shows us how society discards the unwanted elderly. 5 stars.