MovieChat Forums > Ladri di biciclette (1949) Discussion > Am I the only person that didn't think i...

Am I the only person that didn't think it was too great?

posted 18 years ago by AnUnknownPleasure
87 replies | jump to latest

I found that the film had a powerful message, and I was actually deeply saddened by the ending, but I honestly think the film was extremely drawn out; and thats saying a lot for a 90 minute film.

I felt that a lot of the scenes were just trying to paint the portrait of the promise of hapiness that was robbed from this man, but it did so in a completely arduous way.

I think it might be more powerful if it was shorter/more cohesive.

I would probably give it around a 7.8. Not top 10 material by far.

Thoughts?

[–] abhreebhu-397-558439 10 years ago

M with u!!!

[–] JacintoCupboard 10 years ago

The movie has a lot of faults. Far too many to be considered great. Personally I don't even consider it good. Worst of all, the core premise of the film is patronising and ludicrous. No one here is starving. No one is homeless. At the beginning of the film the main character is so unmotivated he doesn't even bother to front for the job call and has to be collected. A day later and it is like he has lost a winning lottery ticket. How do we get from one place to the other? The film gives NO narrative to explain it. Frankly, it is insensible. (Ffs, the guy could have rented a bike from any of the unemployed guys who missed out on the job, who it is safe to assume, would be grateful of the cash.)

The phenomenon of films being held up as classics and those who don't agree feeling they need to apologise or explain why is another matter entirely. I won't be drawn into that BS.

I gave it a 5; almost entirely on the strength of the acting and the watchability of the backgrounds and extras. But the story? That's garbage: a sentimental and patronising middle class view of the working classes.

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] cooler56 9 years ago

I agree. I thought the film had a very thought-provoking message. It also had a very uncommon plot structure, even for a drama. There is no real "resolution." The film starts off on a promising note and it all goes downhill from there, with the tragedies piling up.

However, I thought the ending was very "open-ended," you can either believe that Antonio finds his bicycle by some miracle, or he finds some other solution, or something else happens entirely. He'll find a way to survive. That's what the movie is about.

But I didn't really enjoy how the film was executed. Yes, it was slow and drawn out, but I also found the way they chose to develop certain characters was odd. There were also many scenes which still makes me question their significance to the overall story, especially if there are any metaphors.

I don't think that the film is top 250 material, but let's face it, there are many more films that are less deserving of their top 250 status than this one.

[–] DaveBowman2001 (520) 7 years ago

7.8 is generous