Paolo Bianchi (Gino Cervi) is a traveling salesman caught in a loveless marriage and the drudgery of a poorly-paid job. He meets young Maria (Adriana Benetti) while traveling for work. Maria is pregnant and unwed (a disaster for a woman in the 1940s) and she is returning home to face the parents. She asks Paolo to pose as her husband. During his time with Maria, Paolo experiences moments of happiness, as he has not enjoyed for a long time (a walk in the clouds). How will it end?
Alessandro Blasetti was at his peak with this film and there is much to admire about it. The story (famed screenwriter Cesare Zavattini contributed to it) is very well written, the cinematography is really beautiful (note the scenes where the moving tree leaves play on the faces of Paolo and Maria) and overall the film is well-paced. Adriana Benetti is radiant as Maria and Gino Cervi gives his usual professional performance.
The film has been remade several times, include English language versions but this one is still the best, easily.
Alessandro Blasetti was at his peak with this film and there is much to admire about it. The story (famed screenwriter Cesare Zavattini contributed to it) is very well written, the cinematography is really beautiful (note the scenes where the moving tree leaves play on the faces of Paolo and Maria) and overall the film is well-paced. Adriana Benetti is radiant as Maria and Gino Cervi gives his usual professional performance.
The film has been remade several times, include English language versions but this one is still the best, easily.