Miracolo a Milano

Sorry to hate on a movie that many seem to enjoy but I liked absolutely nothing about this film - and plenty in it frustrated me a lot. One really silly movie.

If Capra ever had the interest to put his antics in the guise of Italian neorealism, it would come out exactly like this. That's one weird mix. Some of is charming, but nowhere near enough.

A young man leaves the orphanage and ends up in a shantytown the same day. His charm and ability to unite people brings new life to the place... until the capitalist fatcats step in. Part Capra, part Chaplin, part absurdist magic realism. But is it funny? Yeah it is, for the most part. Some of it is a little on the stupid side, and the one-dimensional social commentary is hardly biting satire, but it has a pack of delightful tricks up its sleeve.

Miracle in Milan has been echoed by many other films since, and yet it hasn't lost any of its freshness, charm and hilarity. In spite of its bright tone and happy ending, it almost seems to hold back tears; I think it's the first neorealist film to venture into fantasy, preceding Fellini, and its fantastical elements contrast so much with its social realist backdrop, that the tragedies of real life are in a sense accentuated rather than airbrushed.

A disarming pseudo fairy tale that worms its way into your heart with light humour and a good dose of social commentary. The first half is just a warm up for the second, which manages to continuously one up itself right up to the fantastic finale. The humour is at times ridiculously stupid, but it's still somehow charming because the film doesn't linger on any joke too long and uses them to say things of substance.

(Viewed in 28/01/11): De Sica broke new ground by incorporating fantasy into neo-realism, much to the chagrin of his Marxist critics who felt it deviated too far from materialist analysis, but the fairy tale elements don't undermine his social critique which is still class based and perhaps even enhance the struggle felt by his poor protagonists. As others have noted the humour is often too silly, but it's a charming film made with genuine compassion, warmth and a sense of responsibility.

a magical film...

neorealism gone wild and crazy

Uplifting, moving and insane, but good sort of insane.

A joyous, frank and charming film. Not as impressive or caustic as Ladri de biciclette or Umberto D, but well-shaped and interesting in its unsubtle attack on capitalism and the inhumanity it can bring forth. The (unlikely) warm-hearted hero seems to become a symbol rather than a human in flesh and blood - still it works.

Italian -loud- neorealist Chaplin magic realism blend, if you will. Many laughs, a certain truthfulness, buckets of sweetness. Not without its faults, but leaves a fine aftertaste nonetheless.

Capraesque Italian neorealist Saturday morning cartoon?

# 271

Câncer

white pigeon reveals the class reality

quite good, but too socialistic for my taste

251

This world is both overwhelming and fantastical - Naturally! What did you expect when leaving a semi-retarded, semi-dwarf infant with an insane woman? Miracles? Most definitely. Once he's all grown up (dwarf size) he spreads "La Vita é Bella" around like a free bootleg while this movie turns into a (silly) blunt political film, though managing to be more entertaining than De Sica's low key productions. Genuine charm, albeit at the same time lots of annoyance, is gained from this retarded vision.

88.50

Fluff next to the heavyweight trio of Bicycle Thieves, Shoeshine and the still to come Umberto D, this has charming moments and an endearing performance by Golisano. The final act is pure magic realism, some of which works.

de Sica and neorealism usually mean a night of depression. So it was quite a shock when this turned out to be pretty funny, similar to early Fellini. The plot does go in a few left-field directions and perhaps it may lose a little on a second viewing, but just the unexpected nature of this and its all-around wholesome message bumps this up from just an average film.

Intriguing.

Milagre em Milão estreava há 70 anos na Itália. Depois da pedrada de Ladrões de Bicicleta, De Sica quis aquecer nossos corações com algo mais liricamente leve, sem nunca deixar de lado uma ferina crítica sócio-política e o resultado não poderia ser mais deslumbrante. BlurayRip no MakingOff.

That ending scene: Transcendence.

There's something very appealing and Chaplinesque about this film with it's lovable tramp lead, it's intricate sets and "the little guy vs rich guy" plot. I really loved the first two acts. I wasn't quite so taken with the final part that delves deeply into fantasy, but it's still a lovely little film.

280

Fairly charming but full of internal logical issues and it feels like it's going for a deeper message but isn't quite sure what that message should be. The ending is fun, especially the terrible green screen effects, which are hilarious. The protagonist is a little too earnest for me in a Mr. Smith kind of way. Enjoyable.

Perdede, Kadıköy Sineması.

Wonderfully carefree and uplifting among the doomed. Almost childlike approach to fantasy. And it just goes with the mayhem and expands on it! Right up my alley. Got to be one of Vittorio De Sica craziest creations. Adored it!

#301