186. Nights of Cabiria

Nights of Cabiria (1957)

Director: Frederico Fellini

Starring: Giulietta Masina

Francois Perier

Amedeo Nazzari

IMDb Rating: 8

My Rating: 8.5

"Guess there's some justice in the world. You suffer, you go through hell. Then happiness comes along for everyone."

During the first few months of this project, one director's work I have come to anticipate every time I see his name is Frederico Fellini. With the exception of 8 1/2 and La Dolce Vita, I had seen very few of his films. I am happy to see that this is changing. He has a unique ability to find beauty in tragic situations, often giving the aura of a dream to his art. The next film on the list, Nights of Cabiria, comes from this amazing filmmaker.

Nights of Cabiria tells the story of a prostitute named Cabiria, played by Fellini's wife Giulietta Masina, who's life is consistently full of misfortune. Even though most of her days are troubled, Cabiria remains surprisingly optimistic. At the beginning of the film, we see Cabiria's boyfriend throw her in a river and steal her purse. She is saved from drowning from some local children. Once she comes to, she immediately leaves her heroes behind to search out the man who left her not so high and dry.

When it's obvious that her boyfriend has left for good, Cabiria continues on with her life trying to make the best of it all. Although burnt from her past loves, Cabiria still tries to find some sense of love in all of her interactions. When she finally meets a guy that she thinks could provide her with love, she is cautious, but jumps in whole heartily. Her bold move could come at a cost though, since it is not apparent if this new man is using her as well.

This film stands as the benchmark in Giulietta Masina's acting career. Rarely does an actress give us such an optimistic performance in a world that seems to be crumbling around her. Then again, that is what Masina was amazing at. She takes her audience and makes them fall in love with her instantly. Similar to her heart felt performance in La Strada, it is impossible to not root for her true happiness. Her turn in the film's final minutes leaves your feeling nothing short of inspired and generally happy.

Whether it be Fellini's masterful direction or Masina's endearing performance, there is much to admire with this film. This was the last film that Fellini would direct his wife. Although she continued to act, albeit rarely, well into her seventies. Also it stands as the first Fellini film to inspire a Broadway musical. Although the musical Sweet Charity turned the character into a dancer instead of a prostitute. Overall, this film does an amazing job at connecting with it's hope filled message. It's not difficult to see why a film like this is held in such high regard.