Toto is always great. Here...he turns out to be the only redemptive feature of a very awkward script. The topic is good (the chronic evils of life and people generally- it might be Italy in 1954, or anywhere anytime.). But the story is poorly written (or edited), the depictions are heavy handed, and the subject matter is so dark that all comic touches in the script feel forced or grossly out of touch with the ambiance. I have seen many Italian movies from the 50s -60s masterfully juggling tragedy and comedy in brilliant plots (check out the films of Monicelli, Scola, Risi,Germi, Zampa and even Fellini), but I am afraid this Rossellini production fails absolutely at that delicate enterprise.
Review of Where Is Freedom?
