Quote:
Originally Posted by roshiq
Just Before Dawn (1981)
>>: B+
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Cued up...
La Strada (1954). A classic masterpiece of epic proportions, La Strada is a simple tale of romance without love. But simple is a deceiving notion, for the deep symbolism, the depth of the characters, and the emotional elements captured by this near perfect flick are far from simple. With obvious parallels of life's journey, this story is of brutality and moral innocence, revealing the paradoxical marriage of the two, daring to question fate itself, only to ask if it is fair to face the mountains of despair that fate piles up onto mankind. The acting was brilliant, with Anthony Quinn's performance stunningly boorish. It was Giulietta Masina's Charlie Chaplin-esque, playing the angelic thief hearts, that stole the show. Her child-like expressiveness and curiosity with all that life has to offer, be it intriguing or mundane, intimated that romance can be found in all corners of existence. This rightly has been noted as Fellini's first masterpiece, an auteur that dwarfs other legendary directors. The score questions whether the imagery inspired the music, or maybe the other way around. Even the camera work and lighting were impressive, with techniques used whose outcomes defied Newtonian logic. For those with patience for a master to sneak in the magnificence of his genius, this Federico Fellini masterpiece offer rewards unbounded. Merci beaucoup.
Genruk