Umberto D.

You can have anything against neorealism, but when you look at this film, you just have to be moved. It's such a beautiful and yet simple story that is cruel, but at the same time full of hope and desire to live, that it's incredible how all of this could be combined into one functioning whole. A small great film. (11/12/2014)

Originally, I gave this film  4 stars, but then I thought about it and realized how many films have recently annoyed or simply disappointed me and how rare it is to come across a film that has all the signs of a precise craft, has a clearly legible signature, and deals with a strong theme. I'm not saying that this is the best De Sica film I've ever seen, and I'm not saying that this is the best piece of Italian neorealism, and for a while, I struggled with whether De Sica went a little too far into cheap sentimentality. But in the end, I think he balanced it excellently, and the creative courage that is demonstrated by daring to cast non-actors in the lead roles is something I generally appreciate. Umberto D. is a film about the desperate struggle to maintain dignity in a situation where you have no tricks up your sleeve and your fate amounts to constantly giving in, tightening your belt, and losing everything you used to love and care about. It is a  film strong in its details, and convincing, and where the key issue, of course, is how digestible the story of an old helpless man in a hopeless situation will be for you. Personally, I claim that after quite a long time, this is a film that truly brought me joy. Overall impression: 90%. (03/31/2015)