Growing up stories of Bruno's ,Viridiana's and Gelsomina's.
In all of the three films( Bicycle thieves, Viridiana, La Strada) the development of the characters throughout the films is an essential part. First I would like to talk about the development of Bruno, Antonio's son in '' Bicycle thieves'' and his way to growing up. In the beginning he looks up to his father. He admiers him in a way , but a childish way. He acts like his father, copying his walking style, his gestures and just simply doing everything the same way. But later on when he is criticizing his father , he gets slapped by him. By this act the idol feeling towards his father is lost. Antonio slaps Bruno , because Bruno is right and that makes him nervous. After the '' drowning scene the father realizes how important Bruno is to him, so he is trying to be a better father. The psychological core of the film is on the father & son relationship. Father starts to ask questions to his son about soccerteams and other things as well. This is a kind of role reversal. In the restaurant they drink wine and talk about money together. At this point they are equal , Bruno is growing up. Later on Bruno saves his dad by calling police, who would have been lynched otherwise. It is a role reversal again. When Dad gets caught again after stealing a bicycle Bruno gets mercy from the people , so they let his father go. He is the one who takes father's hand , because he still loves his father. The father is crying. These are all role reversals. Bruno's feelings changed from childish adoration to a grown-up love in one day. He had to grow up in one day.
In ''La Strada'' the title is already suggesting (the Road) the changes of feelings, it suggests an emotional journey. Gelsomina is the main character of the film . She is a person with strong emotions , her gestures are silentfilmlike expressions. She always shows what she feels ,this shows that she is an innocent being.