Relentlessly literal and unrelieved by humor or other distractions, Umberto D. concentrates on a man without choices, who has done no wrong yet faces a dire future. We're given to understand that this quiet, clean old guy with his little dog had some savings and didn't act irresponsibly, but that post-war economic conditions have tapped him out. He has nobody to turn to, and no way to attract sympathy from pragmatic types such as his status-seeking landlady, who has no use for him whatsoever.

Umberto reacts with dignity and relative calm to everything that comes, and rarely succumbs to his emotions. He's in every scene, yet never looks as though he's being directed, or is 'acting'. As explained by De Sica himself in an Italian TV show included as an extra, he wanted the role to be filled not by a professional actor, but by a 'real person'. De Sica found his perfect face in a retired college professor, a gentleman who fully inhabits the part.

The crude beginnings of neorealism are gone. The film isn't a slick enterprise, but neither is there a mix of film stocks or a catch-as-catch-can look to it. The soundtrack is convincingly realistic. Umberto's humble lodgings are designed and built, but only to facilitate camerawork. In a nice twist on neorealist conventions, as Umberto is forced out of his room he has to watch it being redecorated. The world is improving all around him, but the message is clear: He's not invited.

De Sica's achievement is to win audience sympathy without using obvious story techniques to demand it. Nobody really abuses poor Umberto, but there's a constant strain of indifference and bureaucratic disapproval. Many of these revolve around Umberto's dog Flike, the only thing he's managed to hold on to. De Sica saves his heart-wrenching moments for the end, but makes sure that the scene isn't hyped for undue melodrama. Anyone who ever owned a pet will understand.

Criterion's presentation of Umberto D. is their customary smooth transfer, with the added plus of careful digital cleanup. I've seen good prints of the show, but nothing as flawless as this, especially the soundtrack. Once again, Criterion has taken the time and expense to license prime source materials for extras - in this case, an RAI TV show where a rather puffed-up De Sica covers his entire life and career up to about 1973. Also included is a new interview with actress Maria Pia Casilio, who explains how she came to play Umberto's young friend completely by accident. There is a surfeit of text extras as well, enumerated below.

On a scale of Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor, Umberto D. rates:
Movie: Excellent
Video: Excellent
Sound: Excellent
Supplements: This is Life: Vittorio De Sica, 55-minute Italian TV docu, Interview with Maria Pia Casilio, New essay by critic Stuart Klawans and reprinted recollections on the film by De Sica; Writings by Umberto Eco, Luisa Alessandri, and Carlo Battisti
Packaging: Keep case
Reviewed: August 21, 2003