(Let me start by telling you the main minus-point of this review: I haven’t mentioned the characters’ names. It’s been over a year since I watched this movie and I can’t recollect the names.)
This movie is looked upon by many as one of the greatest movies of all time. I definitely agree. It’s brilliant. Many people would find this movie slow and get disinterested but I thought it was perfectly paced.
The only two characters with scope to display their acting talent are the actors who play father and son. The father has acted very well. The son emotes beautifully. You can see pride, happiness, pain, anger, shame, etc. in his eyes. Almost all hardcore movie enthusiasts look for scenes that are shot with very difficult, complicated and different camera angles in any movie they see. If you intend to look for the same in this movie, you’re going to be disappointed. The camera work and lighting are pretty ordinary. But hey, as long as the movie conveys the message and makes you think, why bother about unusual camera angles? Right? Yes? No?
WHY YOU SHOULD SEE IT
It’s one of those very few movies that make you think.
It’s got a lot to do with the condition of the human spirit during trying times.
Though released in the late 1940’s, the theme is still relevant.
THE THEME
The level to which a man will stoop to get something he needs.
THE REPRESENTATION OF THE THEME
The story revolves around a man, his wife and their son. It’s depression time. The economy’s down and jobs are hard to find. Man’s out of work and is looking for one, and the wife’s doing odd jobs to run the family. The man is then told that he’s one among the very few selected for a job but in order to get the job, he is to have a bicycle because the job requires him to stick posters all over town. He doesn’t have his bicycle because he’s pawned it. The family put in most of their belongings and they get back his bicycle. Everyone’s happy and looking forward to tomorrow.
Darkness dies and the new day is born. The sun has never shone brighter. The man gets up, looking forward to his first day at work. His son is up before him, cleaning and polishing the bicycle. The son’s very proud about dad’s new job and does all he can do to help; he’s very happy for dad.
Dad goes to work and immediately, the employers send him off with a more experienced guy who will show him how to stick posters properly. After learning the ropes, he takes his posters and sets off to his “territory” to put them posters up. He takes quite some time to stick the first one (I’m not sure if it’s the first or second poster he puts up; I saw the movie a year ago.) and when he turns back after he’s done, the bicycle’s gone. He then goes to his office and tells them what’s happened but they couldn’t have cared less. There are a lot of other guys waiting to pounce on the job. After much persuasion, he makes them give him the day off to let him search for the bicycle. They want him back the next day with a bicycle or he’s sacked.
The rest of the movie is about the father and son’s search for the bicycle. I won’t reveal more.
WHAT I NOTICED AND THINK YOU SHOULD NOTICE DURING THE MOVIE
The awe the son has for the father.
The father/son bonding at the beginning of the movie and during the search.
The dire need for the bicycle, resulting in the gradual erosion and degradation of values.
The expressions on the faces of both father and son at the end of the movie (dad’s full of shame and the son is crying, thinking of what had just happened).
WHAT WAS ON MY MIND AFTER THE MOVIE ENDED
How would the father/son relationship be after the last scene?
Would the boy still respect his dad after all that happened?
Would man stoop to any level to get what he wants?
Watch this movie in one single stretch. It’s worth the time. :-)