UMBERTO D. (1952) **** Vittorio De Sica's homage to his father. An old man and his dog. The Italian government was so incensed at the painfully accurate depiction of the way their elderly were treated that they refused to allow the film to be shown outside the country for three years (until they could improve things a bit). At least they were embarrassed. Unfortunately a film every bit as trenchant could be made about the plight of elderly Americans today, if we were the sort of culture that encouraged directors so talented. Hooray for dogs!
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