Meaning Of Life

Caught an Italian movie, La Strada last weekend.

Storyline goes like this:

Gelsomina is sold by her mother into the employment of Zampano(Anthony Quinn), a brutal strongman in a traveling circus. When Zampano encounters an old rival in highwire artist "The Fool" (Richard Basehart), his fury is provoked to its breaking point.

Directed by Federico Fellini in 1954, the movie moved me deeply. Primarily being that the cast delivered a stupendous performance! The portrayal of a carefree girl by Gelsomina sold to a traveling entertainer and consequently enduring physical and emotional pain along the way in my opinion is the biggest draw. Her natural delivery of the slow-witted girl is impeccable, akin to Charlie Chaplin:)

In this movie, the director establishes a style and certain key themes such as: the beach as a symbol of purity and release; haunting, soft female singing as a symbol of memory; and, above all, a chaotic, circus-oriented environment that entertains the audience.

The biggest take away is everyone has a purpose/role to play in this world. Gelsomina, for example, is always there for Zampano. "Even the pebble has a purpose", according to the fool.

So what is yours?