Must Be Pollen in the Popcorn

Ep. 33: Bicycle Thieves and Tear Jerkers [ 58:15 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

iTunes ♦ Stitcher ♦ Player FM ♦ TuneIn

Lady P is joined today by Flixwise regulars Martin Kessler and Carrie Specht to discuss the 33rd entry on Sight and Sound’s “Greatest Film’s of All Time” list, Vittorio De Sica’s BICYCLE THIEVES. Upon its release in 1948 BICYCLE THIEVES was immediately hailed as a classic and it even managed to snag the number 1 spot on the 1952 Sight and Sound critics poll.  While the film has dropped a few rungs on the Sight and Sound list, it is still considered by many to be the high-water mark of Italian Neo-Realist cinema. The panel discusses BICYCLE THIEVES enduring appeal, and the larger impact of the Neo-Realist movement in film history.

Then the panel gets a little verklempt talking about their favorite movie tear jerkers. BICYCLE THIEVES is a heart-wrencher to be sure, but does it bring our panelist to tears? If not, then what kinds of films do make them cry?

Finally, they pull themselves together for a few final notes of positivity:

Here’s Martin’s

Here’s Carrie’s

And Lady P has two: This and This