Oh man.....oh man.

This is a remarkable, touching and undeniably heartwrenching tale of a lost & lonely woman's search for love in an unsympathetic, uncaring, irrational 20th Century Rome. Like Masina's character, we are given illusions of her being successful.. but uncomprimisingly so, and brilliantly I might add, Fellini strips this "truth" away and replaces it with the cold, unwavering stare of the empty universe. Compelling stuff.

Poor Cabiria. So sweet and charming and brave and tough and nothing goes her way. It's simultaneously joyous and heartbreaking to watch her endure all of her struggles. Masina is absolutely wonderful in the role. Fellini covers such a wide range of emotions that it's like a rollercoaster. And of course the cinematography is gorgeous.

Here we have Cabiria, victimized by the false promises of religion, marginalized and abused by misogynists, walking a fine line between hope and despair and leaving us wondering whether or not the resiliency of the human spirit is admirable or contemptible.

I'll state up front that it's possible I just don't "get" Fellini, but this film did not grab me. It seemed as if style took priority over storytelling, and I think Masina oversold her character. It seemed more like a "woe is me" tale than one that had a real message. Better than 8 1/2 though.

93.250

so sad ;_;

184

Although Fellini's direction is brilliant, the real star here is Giulietta Masina. Her portrayal of Cabiria is just masterful, and through the myriad of events and problems she faces in the film, I have found one of cinema's greatest characters. The slow build up of Cabiria's character is mesmerizing, and towards the final scenes of the film, it becomes a flawless study of a lonesome and contrite character that faced substantial despair, and comes out unbroken.

It contains one of the greatest and unexpected endings ever seen in any film. Mesmerizing acting from Giulietta Masina.

Masina's performance is incredible, lifting this to a new level single-handedly. Fellini seems to be showing off here too, making Masina's character so annoying at first just to show that he can make us love her and feel nothing but sympathy by the end. It's so depressing when we realize what Oscar's true intentions are but Cabiria doesn't yet see it. Worth seeing.

The last scene, when her eye catches the camera's, provided a sudden emotional rush similar to City Lights. The first scene in the film is almost comical, but that's before we get to know Cabiria. The last minutes echo the first but now with our emotional investment. Though she's humiliated in both scenes, the first incident results in anger while the second is a catharsis. The film's transition from classic narrative to religious parable is so subtle that it stunned me when I realized it.

Although not a big fan of Fellini, his movies are always very well acted. This film starts slow, almost boring. But gradually will captivate the viewer with its lightness and beauty.

Very rarely have I so thoroughly enjoyed a movie. Giulietta Masina has the most expressive face, and she's amazing in this. She's sweet, naive, strong and vulnerable, somehow all at the same time. Wonderful, wonderful movie.

Giuletta Masina is great, and her character keeps you watching. The third act is the best part, even if it takes a little too long to get to it.

This movie has what is now probably my favorite performance by a female actor. Masina plays one of the most sympathetic characters I've ever seen. Simply looking at her face you can read deeply into who she is. Worldly yet naive, cynical yet hopeful. The film is beautiful, with my favorite shot being the one of Oscar overlooking the river, the sunset reflecting in the water far below. Knowing what he's likely thinking gives that shot a wonderfully bittersweet weight. What a great movie.

It was only until the movie was nearly over that I really got invested in Masina's Cabiria. I didn't really like the episodic nature of the film. Cabiria's constant struggles and failures just weren't that interesting to me, for the most part. The ending was truly great at least.

#167

An unforgettable film, very touching. Massina is wonderful and no director could do this type of film better than Fellini, a precise balance between humour and tragedy and with such emotional turmoils. It's a beautiful bittersweet story that is a joy to go back to.