"La Strada" is Fellini's poignant drama about a simple, naïve young woman Gelsomina (Giulietta Masina) who is 'sold' by her mother to be the consort/assistant of Zampanò, a cruel, itinerant street performer (Anthony Quinn). The film follows the two as they travel though post-war Italy performing Zampanò's shabby one-man show for handouts. While working in a run-down circus, they encounter "Il Matto" (Richard Basehart), a talented performer who takes an immediate dislike to Zampanò and taunts the quick-tempered strongman at every opportunity. Gelsomina is torn between her aversion to the harsh, thoughtless Zampanò and a feeling of duty toward him, which she begins to believe is her purpose in life. As the sweet, fragile Gelsomina, Giulietta Masina is fascinating to watch. She has limited dialogue and much of her story is told in her face, which ranges from almost expressionless vacuity to great joy to profound sadness, as she struggles to get along with her brutish companion. Quinn and Basehart, playing contrasting, antagonistic characters, are also excellent. Winner of the first Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Best seen in the original Italian, with subtitles if necessary.
Review of The Road
