Sometimes you just watch a movie...and get really really sad that they can't be made today. Like you would never look at "Deadpool" and think..."man...why don't they make movies like that anymore?" Because it's disposal garbage.
"La Strada" is a fascinating movie. Because it is a dated movie. Post-war Italy with two American leads, speaking English but being dubbed in Italian. Like Federico Fellini ever gave a shit.
This movie is about a strongman named Zampano played by Anthony Quinn, who purchases a girl from a poor village to assist for him. The girl/woman named Gelsomina is played by Giulietta Masina, who also happens to be Fellini's wife.
Ripped from her poverty, she is taken to learn the tricks of the roadside entertainment trade. See, Zampano spends his days making money off his act of breaking through chains with his chest. His schtick is corny, but it is a living. He lives/works out of a motorcycle driven wagon. He's very abusive to Gelsomina. Who, let's face it, isn't the most attractive pick of a litter, and he has no problem telling her so. She learns quickly how cruel and belittling Zampano is, but remains with him. Somehow this brutish behavior is attractive in a Stanley Kowalski way.
They eventually run into a real carnival where Zampano runs into a rival simply named "The Fool." He is played brilliantly by Richard Basehart. He is kind to Gelsomina (as much as he can be) but mocks Zampano when he can. They obviously have a history which is pretty deep.
This is a character study wrapped in a road trip picture. Gelsomina is a village girl who sees the wonderful sights of the world, but her payment is also the ugly side of humanity. Many times she is given the freedom, but chooses instead a different path. There is an interesting dialogue that occurs between The Fool and her, that doesn't quite go the path you think it will. It's really an honest look at male/female relationships. I think if you remove the physical abuse, much could still be very present today.
What I absolutely love about this movie is that Zampano's arc isn't expected. It's not even that big. He's a bully and a piece of shit. But then there are these glimpses of kindness that takes you by surprise. You almost understand her position to remain with him. The very best part of this movie is how a simple story can have so many complex emotions. The insults are very very cruel, but in a world where your options are limited, it's hard to take a bully seriously.
Check it out!
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