The Bicycle Thief, by director Vittorio De Sica is a movie that clearly reflects Italian Neorealism. Being the winner of the prestigious Oscar award for Best Foreign Film, the movie depicts the condition that prevailed in the war ravaged city of Rome. Generally, neo-realist movies picture the life of ordinary people and this movie is not an exception. All the scenes were shot in the streets and the actors did not have previous experience in acting.
The Plot of The Bicycle Thief
The city is severely damaged after World War II. Unemployment and poverty are the two main problems eating ordinary people. Men strive hard to fetch a job and earn for their living. Antonio, the main cast is one among them. After a great difficulty, he manages to get a job that involves the pasting of posters on the walls across the city. He could not do the work without a bicycle. His wife helps him financially to get his cycle back from the workshop. His son Bruno and all other family members are extremely happy that their father is going to earn more money. But unfortunately, someone steals the bicycle before his very first day of work even begins.
Antonio, his friends and little Bruno starts searching for the bicycle. Though Antonio sees the thief many times, he fails to get his bicycle from that culprit. He gets frustrated and the evil in him starts working. He plans to steal a bicycle and makes an attempt to get one. He gets hold in the hands of honest men who beat him in front of his son. The movie ends with Antonio and Bruno sadly walk along in the middle of the crowd.
The Father-Son Relationship in The Bicycle Thief
Young Bruno loves his dad a lot and he adored his father for getting a job. He remains as a strong support for his dad in all the attempts to get back the stolen bicycle. As a young chap, it is natural for him to think that his father will boldly face any kind of difficulty and keep the family happy. But he feels bad on seeing his frustrated and helpless father. In the climax, Bruno brings tears in the eyes of the viewers when he sees his father as a thief.
The movie teaches a very good lesson for all the fathers in this world. Fathers should be role models for their children. Kids have the habit of following whatever their parents do. So, parents should live a virtuous life and let the children follow them.
