La Strada aka The Road is one of the greatest films of what is perhaps the best decade in cinematic history - the 1950's. Fellini is on top form and this is the best of his many collaborations with his wife of 50 years Giulietta Masina.
Legend has it that Fellini saw a woman on Via Veneto who looked like an artichoke. That is what inspired the character of Gelsomina, a simpleton with a face that looks like an artichoke. Gelsomina is bought from her poor parents by circus strongman Zampato, played by Anthony Quinn. He takes her on the road and teaches her to become part of his act. In the process, he also rapes her, beats her and frequently insults her. She, on the other hand, sort of falls in love (or believes she does) with him. Both actors give tour-de-force performances but Masina is truly one of the greatest actresses ever and her performance is the closest that I can think of to what is called Chaplinesque.
La Strada is a tragic love story and of course we know it can never have a happy ending. The best part of an artichoke is its heart, and that is what Gelsomina is. Zampato's calling card is that he can break iron chains tied around his chest/heart. Two such different personalities can never really love each other. There is a lot of symbolism in this film, but even viewed as a simple love story it is touching and heartfelt. The music is beautiful, the subtitling superb and the dialogue is great.
Viewers who like this film should certainly explore a later Fellini - Massina collaboration Le Notti di Cabiria.
Legend has it that Fellini saw a woman on Via Veneto who looked like an artichoke. That is what inspired the character of Gelsomina, a simpleton with a face that looks like an artichoke. Gelsomina is bought from her poor parents by circus strongman Zampato, played by Anthony Quinn. He takes her on the road and teaches her to become part of his act. In the process, he also rapes her, beats her and frequently insults her. She, on the other hand, sort of falls in love (or believes she does) with him. Both actors give tour-de-force performances but Masina is truly one of the greatest actresses ever and her performance is the closest that I can think of to what is called Chaplinesque.
La Strada is a tragic love story and of course we know it can never have a happy ending. The best part of an artichoke is its heart, and that is what Gelsomina is. Zampato's calling card is that he can break iron chains tied around his chest/heart. Two such different personalities can never really love each other. There is a lot of symbolism in this film, but even viewed as a simple love story it is touching and heartfelt. The music is beautiful, the subtitling superb and the dialogue is great.
Viewers who like this film should certainly explore a later Fellini - Massina collaboration Le Notti di Cabiria.