'The Bicycle Thief'

Although this film is on the 1,001 list (and despite Netflix trying to push it down by throat) I didn't consider "The Bicycle Thief" until a couple of months ago when I read an article from the great Mexican actor Diego Luna on some of the films, music, art, et al. that he likes.

He mentions "The Bicycle Thief" as being a "laxative" and that whenever he feels shitty and down in the dumps, he watches it and realizes he has it pretty good.

This is a really emotional movie. It ranges from happiness (the son and father in the bar drinking wine) to contentedness (when the father and mother get their bike out of the pawn shop) and utter desperation (the entire rest of the film). It's beautifully acted by everyone involved (including and especially the kid).

Although the story ends on a sad, undetermined note, there is an aura of goodness and hope when the man does not call the police when our hero steals his bike. Despite everything, I felt better.