After lifelong service to the fascist government, a retired worker struggles to survive on his meager pension. As with De Sica's "Bicycle Thieves," this is a simple film employing amateur actors. In the only film he ever made, Battisti is fine in the title role of a man who basically wants a bed to sleep on, but finds that society does not consider his problems relevant. Also good is Casilio as a maid who is sympathetic to Umberto's plight but has problems of her own to resolve. Nothing much happens, but this is a gentle film with moments of humor. It is ultimately a love story - the love between a man and his dog! The dog is cute.
Review of Umberto D.
