I should have known I wouldn’t like it when it showed up at the house; I couldn’t remember why I’d Netflixed it, and then I saw “DeSica” on the sleeve and I really couldn’t remember why I’d Netflixed it.I know, I know, I just have no patience for DeSica.Sure enough — completely annoying.The entire opening sequence is, like, what’s the point of this?A bomb goes off, a bunch of scenery collapses, and Sophia Loren snacks on it for the rest of the movie, and the daughter, uch — she’s 13.She’s old enough not to have a weepy screechy meltdown every time a car backfires.And what are we supposed to think of the Michele character, exactly?And excuse me, but…the Moroccans?Are Italian actors in…blackface?I…no.I have the same problem with this that I had with The Bicycle Thief — it’s a montage, not a movie, and whatever you want to say about the realism, fine, but just because something is realistic does not mean it’s interesting, you know?Anyway: unless you have to watch it for a class, don’t bother.It’s headachey and stagey and I just don’t think it’s as important in the context of film culture as it once was.(3/26/06)

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