Picture it - Sicily, 1948 - family of sailors tries to better themselves under capitalism in a Visconti film. You can draw your own conclusions!
Visconti always draws Lenin with his lush, loping visuals that sit with our characters and draws out their inferiority through settings. It’s a great trick that works in lush films like the Leopard and Senso, and the more neo-realist films like this.
Still after a bit this felt somewhat tortured for me and Antonio. It’s good to know that in the planned but never shot sequels, he gets his redemption.
Or he could just move to America, where his entrepreneurial spirit and hustle would be rewarded. Especially in ‘48.