La Strada

La Strada stands out as one of the best movies I've ever seen.  To be honest, in my European Screen Artists class, I wasn't sure what to expect, movie wise.  But when the lights dimmed and the movie began, I was captivated from start to finish.

It was directed by Federico Fellini, whose works are often celebrated in Cahiers du Cinema's   Top 100 Greatest Films lists (Cahiers du Cinema is a French magazine that's been around since 1951.  It literally means Film Notebook).  However, this piece isn't one of them, which really is a shame, because it's that good.

The story revolves around a Chaplin-esque girl named Gelsomina, who must marry Zampano, a tall, strong man who offers her mother 10,000 lire to take Gelsomina with him.  He travels by motorcycle, carrying a trailer behind it.  

Zampano is a cruel man who yells, abuses, and scares Gelsomina.  They travel through cities to put on shows, where he breaks chains with his chest.  She is the bumbling assistant dressed as a clown.

Gelsomina isn't your everyday person, however, and she's quickly distinguishable.  She becomes amused by the smallest wonders, smiles a lot, but also feels like no one wants her.

She meets a tightrope walker one day, and he teaches her that everything, and everyone, has a purpose, even a small pebble on the side of the road.  Zampano doesn't like him though, especially after the walker ruins his show one day.  That rage leads to quite an  unexpected ending.

Just go and watch this movie.  It's one of those movies you won't be disappointed with.  You will laugh, and you might just cry, but you definitely won't forget it.