Bicycle Thieves/Thief

First of all, I would like to discuss the title. I personally think the plural one is the best choice. Because the film is realism, it makes more sense to label all people in society as a thief, or at least those in the lower class. The end of the movie portrays a desperate man's actions to survive. Throughout the movie, we see how society and the justice system turn their backs against the main character, so he then decides that stealing is the only way to get back at society. He fails in the process, but family hope is presented when the son and father hold hands and walk together.
The film succeeds in showing using the same editing and filming techniques. We almost never see the father and son in a close-up unless it is an emotional climax or realization. The best example is the end of the movie where we go back and forth between the two characters, a desperate man and his son or conscious. The contrast between the two gives along with the music builds to the climax of the whole movie as the audience's suspense builds. This scene is separated from much of the movie because there is no discussion between the two, and we see the characters by themselves versus part of a crowd. It is the most intimate scene in the film.
The director uses contrast of people to demonstrate the emotions of the characters. For instance, in the nice restaurant, the son looks several times back at a wealthier boy. We can see how the son wishes to be able to enjoy a better lifestyle. Another example is in the police station where the father reports his stolen bike. We see the indifferent police officer versus the desperate father. This represents Italy's failure of a justice system, and we sympathize with the father and his decision to go against his morals in the end.

Out of the Past

As we discussed in class, the film Out of the Past fits the film noir category in content and form in several parts, but the lighting concept was not really there. Usually in film noirs there is a high contrast in lighting throughout the film, but Out of the Past has much less contrast. Also, the opening and closing of the film leaves me more empty than satisfied.
Even though the idea of hope lingers at the end, the idea of moving on just to move on leaves me a little frustrated. I want to see the remainding characters move on, but I want to see more resolution with several of the characters. I guess the film succeeded in making me want to see more, but I did not love the film by any means.
Is everyone happy now? I felt that the characters alive only live to continue a predictable country life where stereotypes tell the truth.