Umberto D. is a 1952 Italian neorealist film directed by Vittorio De Sica. The film focuses on the life of Umberto Domenico Ferrari, an elderly pensioner struggling to make ends meet in post-World War II Italy. Umberto lives in a boarding house and his landlady constantly badgers him for money. When he is unable to pay his rent, he is faced with the prospect of being evicted.
Umberto is a deeply lonely man. He has a strained relationship with his only living relative, a grown-up son who has little interest in him. He has no close friends, and his only companion is his small dog, Flike, with whom he has a deep attachment. When Umberto is forced to leave his home, he becomes desperate to find a way to make money and keep his dog.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Umberto resorts to pawning his possessions, including his gold pocket watch and his army war medal. But even this is not enough to raise the money he needs. In a heartbreaking scene, Umberto visits an old friend in a hospital, only to find that the friend has died.
Ultimately, Umberto cannot find a way to make ends meet and is forced to face the reality that he may have to give up his beloved Flike. In the film's final scene, Umberto is seen wandering the streets with Flike, trying to figure out his next move.
Umberto D. is a powerful and poignant film that explores themes of poverty, aging, and social isolation. It is widely regarded as a masterpiece of Italian neorealism and is considered one of De Sica's greatest works. The film's lead actor, Carlo Battisti, was a non-professional who had never acted before. His moving performance earned him critical acclaim and solidified his place in cinematic history.
