This film has an interesting pedigree. It was made in England--even though it's a story set in New York's 'Little Italy' (it's next to Chinatown in the southern portion of Manhattan). The reason for filming in the UK was that the director, Edward Dmytryk, was one of the famed Hollywood Ten who refused to testify before Congress and were imprisoned and blacklisted. And I am sure this had a lot to do with the film subsequently being pulled from circulation shortly after it's US release.
The film begins with a bit of domestic violence. What led up to this is uncertain, as so the film now goes back a decade to show, very slowly, the events leading up to this. Geremio (Sam Wanamaker) is a bricklayer. He works hard and has friends, but his life is tough--and money is far from abundant. However, he decides one day that he should be married and asks a neighbor (Kathleen Ryan)--and she refuses him. Then, a friend helps him obtain a wife from 'the old country' (Italy) and he marries a woman he's never even met (Lea Padovani). The problem, however, is that he'd written her about his life--and lied about having a little house. Instead, he only had a crummy apartment. But, to hide his lie, he rents a house for their honeymoon--and she only learns at the end that it's NOT her new house.
Despite this HUGE surprise, the marriage somehow stays strong and through the next decade they have four kids and life, though tough, is good. However, when the Depression arrives, Geremio is disheartened and during the course of this part of the film, his soul seems crushed and the need to feed his family becomes his all-consuming goal. As a result, he's willing to become foreman on a dangerous and substandard job--one that is just a huge disaster waiting to happen. What happens next, I'll let you find out for yourself---but it's pretty shocking as Geremio vacillates between allowing his soul to fester or overcome this dark period. I guarantee that you WON'T be able to guess what will happen next.
There is a lot to admire about this film. Wanamaker, while not exactly a household name and easily recognizable face, was great in this film. And the director did a great job setting the mood. I really must admire this film. However, I also need to point out that it's not exactly a pleasant film. At times, it's rather depressing, in fact. And, it does NOT have a happy Hollywood-style ending. But, I admire how the film was willing not to be clichéd and happy. Well worth seeing, but certainly not a film for everyone.
The film begins with a bit of domestic violence. What led up to this is uncertain, as so the film now goes back a decade to show, very slowly, the events leading up to this. Geremio (Sam Wanamaker) is a bricklayer. He works hard and has friends, but his life is tough--and money is far from abundant. However, he decides one day that he should be married and asks a neighbor (Kathleen Ryan)--and she refuses him. Then, a friend helps him obtain a wife from 'the old country' (Italy) and he marries a woman he's never even met (Lea Padovani). The problem, however, is that he'd written her about his life--and lied about having a little house. Instead, he only had a crummy apartment. But, to hide his lie, he rents a house for their honeymoon--and she only learns at the end that it's NOT her new house.
Despite this HUGE surprise, the marriage somehow stays strong and through the next decade they have four kids and life, though tough, is good. However, when the Depression arrives, Geremio is disheartened and during the course of this part of the film, his soul seems crushed and the need to feed his family becomes his all-consuming goal. As a result, he's willing to become foreman on a dangerous and substandard job--one that is just a huge disaster waiting to happen. What happens next, I'll let you find out for yourself---but it's pretty shocking as Geremio vacillates between allowing his soul to fester or overcome this dark period. I guarantee that you WON'T be able to guess what will happen next.
There is a lot to admire about this film. Wanamaker, while not exactly a household name and easily recognizable face, was great in this film. And the director did a great job setting the mood. I really must admire this film. However, I also need to point out that it's not exactly a pleasant film. At times, it's rather depressing, in fact. And, it does NOT have a happy Hollywood-style ending. But, I admire how the film was willing not to be clichéd and happy. Well worth seeing, but certainly not a film for everyone.