Often lost in marital problems are the children. One would think that since they are so young they won't realize what is going on, but it's quite the opposite. Young children are more astute then you'd think and easily impressionable. When they see their parents fighting they know what's going on. That is at the heart of The Children Are Watching Us, one of Vittorio De Sica's earlier Italian neorealist films. De Sica is most famous for his heralded classic, The Bicycle Thief, which upon further reflection is even better than I gave it credit for, particularly after watching this earlier work. While The Bicycle Thief deals with the crushing effects of poverty, it is also a story about the relationship a parent has with his child. The Children Are Watching Us takes out the poverty elements and focuses on the relationships a child has with his parents as he watches their marriage fall apart.
The conflict of the film revolves around the mother who runs off with her lover leaving behind her husband and son Prico. Realizing what effect this would have on Prico she decides to come back. The husband reluctantly takes her back for the sake of the child and for a moment we think things may actually work out. However the damage has already been done; the seeds of doubt have been implanted in Prico's mind regarding his mother. And when she strays yet again, this act is unforgivable.
The thing that really caught my attention is the pacing of the film. The film is only 85 minutes long yet it seems to drag because the story isn't filled with dramatic moments or key dialog but seemingly unimportant scenes that don't really advance the plot or mood of the film. In my opinion, the film sputters and stalls in some places. However, the overall feel of the film is never lost. So while we watch a scene of them having a good time on the beach we know it is underlined by the rift that is still between the parents and also the growing moments of isolation Prico feels.
Much of the dramatics are saved for the last portions of the film. De Sica would structure The Bicycle Thief in a similar manner by having an emotionally powerful ending with an unforgettable closing shot. It would be difficult to describe the scene without spoiling the movie so I won't, but basically it involves Prico revealing his feelings towards his mother.
I thought this film was decent, definitely not as good as The Bicycle Thief. A lot of my problems had to do with the pacing and lack of drama throughout which kind of lessened the emotional impact of its powerful ending. It has this really important and poignant subject matter but doesn't effectively convey those ideas. It does have the great closing moments, but one scene does not a movie make. The one good thing I will say about this film though is that it got me to thinking about The Bicycle Thief again and made me realize I sort of undervalued it.
Grade: C+
No comments:
Post a Comment