Like with Fellini's other films perhaps, La Strada mayn't be to everybody's tastes. But I loved it. My only problem was that the lip-synching was occasionally a little sloppy, but La Strada is a powerful, poignant and beautiful film.
Fellini's direction is superb. He is a wonderful director, and his passion for his films and their subject matter really comes through. As always, the visuals are beautiful, simpler than I have seen before from a Fellini film, but the cinematography and scenery are stunning.
The music, courtesy of master Nina Rota is wonderful. It really adds to the film's emotion and as is the case with the master's other scores, it is beautiful, haunting and sticks in the mind for a long while after.
The story is well-written and touching. Some of it may be bizarre and sentimental with the concept and love story, but it is also very touching with a dream like quality to it. Fellini also throws in some messages and symbols which are incorporated quite nicely I think.
The script I have no qualms with. Emotionally it resonated with me, and it gave real credibility to the characters. Speaking of the characters, all are very credible especially Gelsomina.
The acting is wonderful. Guilietta Masina is amazing as Gelsomina, it is altogether a sympathetic and touching performance. Anthony Quinn is also memorable as Zampano, and to me Richard Basehart gives one of his better performances as he is amusing without jarring.
All in all, probably my least favourite of the Fellinis I've seen so far, but I still loved it. It is a very beautiful film and well worth seeing. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Fellini's direction is superb. He is a wonderful director, and his passion for his films and their subject matter really comes through. As always, the visuals are beautiful, simpler than I have seen before from a Fellini film, but the cinematography and scenery are stunning.
The music, courtesy of master Nina Rota is wonderful. It really adds to the film's emotion and as is the case with the master's other scores, it is beautiful, haunting and sticks in the mind for a long while after.
The story is well-written and touching. Some of it may be bizarre and sentimental with the concept and love story, but it is also very touching with a dream like quality to it. Fellini also throws in some messages and symbols which are incorporated quite nicely I think.
The script I have no qualms with. Emotionally it resonated with me, and it gave real credibility to the characters. Speaking of the characters, all are very credible especially Gelsomina.
The acting is wonderful. Guilietta Masina is amazing as Gelsomina, it is altogether a sympathetic and touching performance. Anthony Quinn is also memorable as Zampano, and to me Richard Basehart gives one of his better performances as he is amusing without jarring.
All in all, probably my least favourite of the Fellinis I've seen so far, but I still loved it. It is a very beautiful film and well worth seeing. 9/10 Bethany Cox