"Neorealist" comedy from Rossellini with the unimitable Toto as a barber who has a hard time adjusting back to society after serving 22 years in prison for a crime of passion.
What's great about this film is the strong theme behind the story. When you're locked away for a long time the real world becomes a dreamlike vision of a paradise. Paradoxically, the world can be the least tolerant place to those just released from prison.
Toto's comedy works wonderfully to create a man that experiences this disillusionment even up to the point where the very reasons he had for the crime of passion 22 years ago are questioned.
It's not a masterpiece: some sequences are included for no apparent reason and add nothing to the film, but a good idea, great casting (especially minor parts), good use of dramatic or realistic elements to make the comedy parts seem less "sweet" and, of course, the great Toto make watching this one worth your while.
What's great about this film is the strong theme behind the story. When you're locked away for a long time the real world becomes a dreamlike vision of a paradise. Paradoxically, the world can be the least tolerant place to those just released from prison.
Toto's comedy works wonderfully to create a man that experiences this disillusionment even up to the point where the very reasons he had for the crime of passion 22 years ago are questioned.
It's not a masterpiece: some sequences are included for no apparent reason and add nothing to the film, but a good idea, great casting (especially minor parts), good use of dramatic or realistic elements to make the comedy parts seem less "sweet" and, of course, the great Toto make watching this one worth your while.