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Doctor Dolittle (1967)
Good film with Rex Harrison
Good film with Rex Harrison. The titled character (Rex Harrison) learns that dealing with animals is better for him than dealing with human beings. Thus he becomes a doctor for the animals and learns how to speak their various languages. He goes on a long and seemingly empty journey to find a giant pink snail and an equally over-sized moth. The screenplay is not too strong and most of the performances are sophomoric. However, Rex Harrison somehow makes it all work with an enthusiastic and very likeable performance. The songs are not bad either. In fact the "Talk to the Animals" is one of those few songs from a movie that just seems timeless for some reason. "Dr. Dolittle" did receive a Best Picture Oscar nod in 1967.
Ladri di biciclette (1948)
A classic film
A classic film. The film relevantly alternates between social commentary and family drama, through a powerful depiction of the solidarity that could only prevail within the family in these times. The wife, Maria, without hesitation strips the sheets from the marital bed : they would replace the bicycle in the pawn shop. The never ending shot of the man climbing the ladder full of other used sheets, is a strong reminder of the hardship endured in these days where even sheets were secondary. In another interesting scene, Ricci waits for Maria who visits a Wise Woman. Impatiently enthusiastic, he joins her upstairs while asking two kids to watch the bicycle. Maria came to pay for the prediction that Ricci would get a job, but he prevents her from 'wasting her money', as a practical man. However, when you measure the length of the human queue that visits the Wise woman, you understand how far from practicality people could be pushed by despair, while superstition was the only guidance one could seek. Ricci didn't need that, he had a job. On many levels, the scene is interesting, as we wonder if Ricci's intervention could have foreshadowed the theft, expecting from the title and the misleading cheerful mood, that the bicycle would be stolen when he'll come downstairs. But this would have been too predictable.
The following day, Ricci rides his bicycle, carrying a ladder. Every time we get to see him on a bicycle, there's a sensation of freedom, driven by an exhilarating fast motion. But fate chose Ricci as the unfortunate victim of a meticulously set-up stealing. We only have a quick glance on the thief, but Ricci's reaction sweeps it off, and sets up the dramatic element that will never desert the film. Ricci knows what this terrible loss means. He comes back by bus, ignoring the queue, and peoples' protests. The next day, starts a long quest for the stolen bicycle with Ricci and his son, Bruno, a plucky funny-looking little boy, who makes the duo look like a dramatic reminiscence of Chaplin and his Kid, with a new father-and-son dimension that will be the heart of the film.
To Save a Life (2009)
Good film
I wish it more of an evangelical message, but it's ok. Too many faith films shy away from Gospel message - so afraid, so cowardly.
So many times we go through life simply reacting to the circumstances that are presented to us and in doing so we become self-absorbed and focused on the moment only in how it touches our own wants and need. And to this the film did well.