I Vitelloni
For me, the stories told in I Vitelloni present a universally relatable look at young adulthood and the changes that the world forces on us, offering the best and worst ways to handle those changes, which certainly earns it a spot among the all-time greats.
Life Is BeautIFUL
Life Is Beautiful stands the test of time thanks to its strong central performance from actor/writer/director Roberto Benigni that speaks to the film’s message of fighting back against tragedy and oppression through celebrations of life and love, ultimately making the film one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
Mafioso
Mafioso’s humor works in three ways, first as inspiration for future mafia films, second as a mood lightener for what could otherwise be a wildly dark film, and third as a means to make its message of social criticism more palatable for its original audience, allowing the film to accomplish so much and remain one of the greatest of all time.
Bicycle Thieves
A perfectly executed final act and climax portrayed skillfully by its two amateur leads leaves the audience equally satisfied and pensive at the end of Bicycle Thieves, an ideal combination for a film in this particular niche.