When Gelsomina, a naïve young woman, is purchased from her impoverished mother by brutish circus strongman Zampanò to be his wife and partner, she loyally endures her husband's coldness and abuse as they travel the Italian countryside performing together. Soon Zampanò must deal with his jealousy and conflicted feelings about Gelsomina when she finds a kindred spirit in Il Matto, the carefree circus fool, and contemplates leaving Zampanò.
La Strada is the first film that can be called entirely 'Felliniesque.'
– Roger Ebert,
Chicago Sun-Times,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
As French critic Andre Bazin pointed out, 'The Fellini character does not evolve; he ripens.' And so do his movies.
– Rita Kempley,
Washington Post,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
Signor Fellini has used his small cast, and, equally important, his camera, with the unmistakable touch of an artist. His vignettes fill his movie with beauty, sadness, humor and understanding.
– A.H. Weiler,
New York Times,
20 May 2003
fresh:
Symbols, metaphors, and larger-than-life performances hold sway, and moments of bizarre if inconsequential charm abound.