Where: In a theatre | Condiments: Free popcorn from a film club (woohoo!)

I went in blind, not really knowing what to expect, but I had heard it was heartwarming even though it falls under the Italian neorealism. I’m glad I decided to see it despite my inherent scepticism of black and white movies.

From the physical comedy to the special effects and the charming characters. It was hard not to fall in love with this movie. I especially found myself laughing at (often also with!) the practical effects. Vittorio De Sica went all in with the surrealism of the angels, and I couldn’t help but being smitten with the charming ridiculousness of the wishing dove. The children of a lower density than normal, being caught by the wind and vacuum cleaners also got me quite good.

Not to mention: It was such a joy to see this in a theatre and hear the audience laugh heartily. There is something touching about a movie this old being so well received by an audience today. How many before us have sat in a theatre, smiled and laughed at the very same scenes we watched? To me, the temporal quality of the movie gives the movie an extra layer of enjoyment. Perhaps even more so because of its theme of searching for happiness in the small things.

One of the few movies I’ve rewarded with a standing ovation. And it was well deserved!