Searching for love in Rome: my review of Nights of Cabiria
Life wears a mask: falsehood hides behind the truth; loneliness hides behind fame; poverty hides behind wealth; lies hides behind love.
The magician takes off his hat to show Cabiria his horns.
Nights of Cabiria is a 1957 Italian Neorealism drama written and directed by Federico Fellini, director of La Dolce Vita and 8 1/2. The film stars Giulietta Masina as a prostitute in search of love and her perfect idea of life in the city of Rome. The film also stars Amedeo Nazzari, François Périer, Franca Marzi.
The film opens with Cabiria being led to the Tiber River by her boyfriend Giorgio who pushes her in and runs off with her purse. This scene sums up the entire film in which Cabiria acts as a microcosm of a generation that judges people, things, and--most of all--happiness by outward appearances and a generation where love is conditional. In this film, Fellini holds Cabiria up to us like a mirror to show us how we hurt ourselves chasing ideals and also how others use our desires to manipulate us out of what we have.
This is 1 of Fellini's best films. The lessons in the film are light enough not to overpower Giullietta Masina’s powerful performance. As always, the woman knew how to use her face and entire body as eloquently as anyone who has ever done it. When those "greatest actresses" lists are put out, Giullietta Masina's name should always be on them. Italian Neorealism at its best!
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