The Netflix envelopes were sitting there most of the week, untouched. Every time I saw them I thought, “Yes, I should follow through on my plan to see Yahoo’s 100 Movies to See Before You Die … just not tonight.” Truth is, two of the movies seemed downright depressing, and it was a challenge just to put them in the DVD player. And even though I’m glad I eventually did, I was right. These movies are depressing. Inspiration can be found anywhere, though, right? Right.
About an unemployed man in post-WWII Italy who finally gets a job with one prerequisite: a bicycle. And what happens on the first day? His bicycle gets stolen. Another case of the poor man never getting a break. It would be all doom and gloom if it weren’t for the man’s young son, Bruno (Enzo Staiola), whose gumption far exceeds that of people twice his age. Bruno has a job of his own, a sense of style and he isn’t afraid to stand up to his dad after being slapped. Way to go, kid!
Honestly, I’m hard-pressed to think of a more depressing film. You’ve got the French occupation and the Algerian revolution. And they fight. A lot. And not fairly. You hate both sides, in fact. But I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. If that’s not quality movie-making, I don’t know what is. I think anyone watching this movie can easily see that neither side wins when using tit-for-tat and terror warfare. The hippie inside me was inspired to jump up and say, “Dammit everyone! Just give peace a chance!”
Finally, some (very dated) comic relief. I wanted to LOL, but instead I found myself OMG-ing, and in an uncomfortable “this is so wrong” kind of way. Definitely a movie of its time, I think the time has passed. The best part was when the sheriff came to town on his beautiful horse and wearing designer Western duds. Now that’s an inspiring image!
