tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703076346434344743.post2004182660169977651..comments2023-07-01T05:05:31.938-04:00Comments on Films Worth Watching: Nobody's Children (1952) / The White Angel (1955) - Directed by Raffaello MatarazzoJonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10656287096270976604noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703076346434344743.post-16384724632305147082012-01-28T22:38:41.973-05:002012-01-28T22:38:41.973-05:00Hey Sam,
I know you're a fan of melodrama an...Hey Sam,<br /><br />I know you're a fan of melodrama and this one certainly doesn't disappoint in that regard. I can probably understand how in Italy at the time, that people may not have wanted to watch De Sica and Rossellini and instead become lost in these fantasies. I think it says something about the mindset of where people were at. Certainly De Sica and Rossellini are far more accomplished, but there's something irresistible I agree.Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10656287096270976604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703076346434344743.post-55597278313105756032012-01-28T16:03:18.800-05:002012-01-28T16:03:18.800-05:00Matarazzo was scorned by critics but adored by aud...Matarazzo was scorned by critics but adored by audience, who by and large responded to his over-the-top narratives and emotional flourishes. It now seems the height of absurdity that the director was commercially more successful than his peers De Sica and Rossellini. But as you rightly note his work clashed with the tents of the neo-realist movement, and all in all the melodrama her is closer to Visconti among Italian directors. Beyond that I agree that Sirk would be the ultimate reference point. The combo of NOBODY'S CHILDREN and THE WHITE ANGEL are indeed one of the most wildly melodramatic stories ever put on film. The second film however I believe is stronger. I agree with you on the VERTIGO comparison and on Bresson culling more emotions from similar situations. Matarrazo is too irresistible in the end, and I don't regret for a second by acquisition of this Criterion Eclipse set.<br /><br />Marvelous review here Jon, and one that successfully framed the director's artistic worth.Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.com