Anchored by Carlo Battisti's moving performance, Vittorio de Sica's deeply empathetic character study is a bracing glimpse into the lives of the downtrodden.
This classic of Italian neorealism follows the struggles faced by an elderly pensioner in the harsh social reality of postwar Italy. One of the major collaborations between screenwriter Cesare Zavattini and director Vittorio De Sica, Umberto D. masterfully explores the drama of everyday events, crafting with simplicity a heartbreaking story that instigates reflections about love, solitude, and endurance. [89 min; drama; Italian with English subtitles]
"Earns a place among the most life-affirming motion pictures ever made." — Brian Eggert, Deep Focus Review
"The performances, especially that of the maid, Maria Pia Casilio, are real and compelling." — Variety
"De Sica somehow manages to avert sentimentality and banality, and his simple storytelling leaves a profound and timeless message." — Dennis Schwartz, Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
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