Friday, March 12, 2010
Fathers and Sons
In the final scene of Bicycle Thieves we observed an intricate layering of point of view. Antonio looked at his son Bruno and vice versa. We saw Antonio steal a bycicle, but also we saw Bruno watching Antonio steal a bicylce. In what way is this scene about the relationship between father and son? How does that act of watching fit into this relationship? Are there other scenes that support your ideas?
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I think the overarching question of this movie is: when put in a bad position, how far would you go to get out of it? We see that with the storyline as Antonio does everything in his power to find the bike, from chasing after old men to bursting into homes and confronting people. At the end of the movie, with no other recourse, Antonio steals a bike himself. I believe Bruno's inclusion in this scene has particular relevance as it further emphasizes the extent to which Antonio was willing to go to get his bike back (or a replacement). However, beyond that, his presence also demonstrates the selflessness and compassion of Antonio, everything he does in the movie is to help his impoverished family. Beyond that, in a further demonstration of his integrity, Antonio sought to have Bruno go home, to avoid seeing his father put in the position he was, yet another sign that he did what he did not out of greed but out of desperation. So, if anything, Bruno's presence serves to remind the viewer about the stakes involved for Antonio, both the need for success, and the ultimately devastating cost of failure we see at the end.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mike. It is very obvious that Antonio is debating what to do when he paces back and forth looking at various unguarded bikes. His son just sits there watching his father pace back and forth. He does try to send Bruno home on the train, but unfortunately Bruno missed it. As Mike said, this shows us that Antonio's actions are not because of greed, but of desperation. I think this scene is all about dignity. We see Bruno watching his dad's every action. When Bruno saw his dad steal the bike and get run down, he saw Antonio lose his dignity. In a way, Bruno gained more respect or love for his father from this action. Bruno understands that Antonio is willing to do whatever it takes to provide for his family. Bruno sees the trouble that his father is going through. In my opinion, this makes Antonio seem like an even greater idol to Bruno. Bruno is witnessing firsthand how much his dad is going through and putting himself in jeopardy all for his family. During the very last scene, I think Bruno is crying not because of his fathers lost dignity, but instead because of his father's determination and love for his family. Other scenes that build up to this climactic scene are the church scene, the chase scenes, the bike market scenes and many more because it is building up Bruno's impression of his father's love.
ReplyDeleteBruno as any son would do, looks up to his father; constantly aspiring to be like him when he grows up. Much like a younger brother does to his older brother, Bruno follows Antonio around looking for the bike. The relationship is good throughout the entire film until the final moments. From what I'm getting from Gwin and Willen is that the desperation and caring Antonio shows for Bruno and his wife strengthen their relationship because Bruno understands that Antonio is only stealing the bike out of desperation. I agree with both of them that it does, however, I think it is only effective for a short period of time. I think the future relationship between the two could be seriously damaged by those last few moments of the film. Antonio, even though his intentions were good, has been a poor representation of what every father should act like, especially in front of their son. He's essentially taught Bruno that it's ok to break the law when you're desperate and that your inevitable captures will let you off the hook sometimes a.k.a. it might be worth it to try to break the law sometimes. As Bruno is a young boy who is quickly trying to learn how to behave in society by mimicing those he respects like his father, it's as if he's taken a massive step in the other direction that could jeopardize their father - son relationship in the future.
ReplyDeleteI think this father-son relationship is portrayed most in this scene. Just like Ryan said, Bruno looks up to his father and although Antonio does try everything in his power to get his bike back, he is put into a desperate situation where he has a choice whether to give up on the search or steal the bike. The viewer can easily see that the last thing Antonio wants to do is not only steal the bike but also give a poor message to his son. The choice to steal the bike makes him completely hypocritical and I think could send the message to Bruno that all their hard work they put into looking for the bike was for nothing at all. It also could show him if you try hard and don't succeed, "cheating" can fix your problems, in this case cheating would be stealing someone's bike. When Bruno and his father look at one another, it shows the companionship between father and son. Since Bruno looks up to Antonio, the viewer gets a sense of understanding from Bruno when he looks at his father, knowing he just stole a bicycle.
ReplyDeleteThe scene where Antonio steals the bike indicates the relationship between father and son with the point of view of the camera. When Bruno was told to go home and Antonio initially took hold of the bike, it is from an omniscient point of view to show us the entirety of what he is doing. Antonio turned the corner, and Bruno took notice, the camera perspective then switched to Bruno's eyes. Sons learn from their fathers, and Bruno was in essence being taught to steal.
ReplyDeleteBruno was shaken by this event because he had been always used to his father being an honest man. When he saw Antonio make this desperate move, he no longer knew what to think or even how to act. He had been taught to behave in the same respectable manner as his father all his life, but then his father radically shifted his behavior right before his own eyes. Antonio recognized this beforehand, which is why he tried to get Bruno to go home. The camera shifting to Bruno's perspective let us know instantly that this plan had failed and that Bruno was seeing exactly what his father hoped he would never have to see.
I think that this scene shows us that Bruno thinks his father is a good man and is shocked that he would do something so low. He thought his father would never do such a thing as to steal a bicycle and in turn he is almost ashamed of his father and then his father was ashamed too. Every son wants to believe that there father is somewhat of a "superman" and would never do anything like steal a bike and this is a very hard realization for Bruno.
ReplyDeleteThere is one other scene that Bruno also recognizes that his father is not the best man in the world. It is the scene when Bruno is asking Antonio questions and then Antonio slaps Bruno across the face and Bruno is also in a stage of astonishment after. He cannot believe his father has slapped him just like he couldn't believe that his father had stolen the bike. I guess its that since Antonio is Bruno's father he keeps him to higher standards then most people and when he doesn't measure up to those standards Bruno is amazed.
In this scene especially, the father - son relationship is challenged. Antonio is put in an awkward and tough situation, how far is he willing to go in order to appease his son Bruno... would he even be willing to steal for him. Antonio does everything he can possibly do in order to return the bike to his son, and in the end Antonio opts to steal the bike. This decision depicts Antonio in a different light, and alterse Bruno's view of his Father. How could his "perfect" father do such a thing. The once wholesome image Burno had of his father was now gone.
ReplyDeleteBruno had been brought up in a certain way, and when his father did something as desperate as stealing, Bruno did not know how to respond or act. In stealing the bike, Antonio is being hypocritical of everything he taught to his son. He goes against his own views, but in the end there is still that understanding and companionship between father and son, nomatter the scenario.
In any father and son relationship, the father gives the son comfort, guidance, and care and the son in return gives him respect and honor. The father also makes wise sacrifices in order to care for his child. In most cases, these sacrifices are wise and thought out thoroughly. However, in this last scene of Bicycle Thieves, this idea is challenged.
ReplyDeleteAntonio knows that without his bike, his family would be financially ill and his son might starve. He looks all throughout town to find his stolen bike. Unsuccessful, he panics. He feels as if he must obtain a bicycle, no matter what the cost. When he sees the unguarded bike out of the corner of his eye, he is torn. He looks back and forth from his son to the bike. He wonders if this is a wise choice: to take the bike to save his family with the chance of feeling guilty and being caught. He also, however, fears that Bruno will not respect him as a father if he makes this decision, for he would be no better than the man who stole his bike first. He makes the choice and steals the bike. He is then caught red handed and is humiliated in front of his son.
It seems that the normal roles of father and son have switched for this scene. The father feels he must make a sacrifice for his son. However, this sacrifice is unwise. He also worries of losing the respect for his son. This opinion is supported by the final scene where Antonio and Bruno walk into the crowd. Antonio is seen crying and obviously emotionally drained. His son looks at him with a comforting/worried stare and he grabs his hand in the hopes of telling him "I'm still here." In most cases, this is usually the father's job, but it is different in this final scene.
The relationship between father and son usually revolves around the idea that father supports son. The father supports son in emotionally, financially, and even physically. However, in the final scene where we see Antonio stealing the bicycle the conventional father-son relationship is reversed. Through out the film we had seen the stereotypical father-son relationship because Antonio had been on a mission to find the bicycle with the reason of supporting his family and his son. This role reverses in the final scene because Antonio failed in his mission and it's no longer Bruno that needs the support but, rather, Antonio who needs support.
ReplyDeleteThe act of watching in this scene acts as demonstrates how the role has reversed. Antonio looks at Bruno almost for any hint of approval and support even though Bruno is only a young boy. Bruno looks at Antonio as if to hint at support. The act of watching shows that it is no longer Bruno looking for Antonio's support but Antonio literally searching for Bruno's support.
The scene in the restaurant supports this idea. As Bruno and Antonio eat their mozzarella sandwiches Bruno's eyes wander around the room while Antonio looks on at Bruno. This act of watching is the same that occurred in the final scene of the film.