Much like Fyodor Dostoyevsky's novel The Idiot, Roberto Rossellini's Europa '51 attempts to ask the question of what would happen to a real-life saint in modern society. Taking inspiration from the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, Rossellini directs his camera towards Irene, a wealthy woman living in post-World War II Rome. Completely oblivious to the true suffering surrounding her, Irene's life is shattered after her young son accidentally dies while trying to get her attention. After being bedridden with grief for 10 days, she is taken by a Communist friend to one of Rome's many slums and suggests that she devote her efforts to helping others truly less fortunate. This transforms Irene into a force of righteous agape, using her influence and money to help the sick, poor, and underprivileged. However, she is viewed as insane by her family and friends. Her husband suspects that she is having an affair and leaves her. Eventually she is institutionalized for her behavior. This all seems very emotionally manipulative, but Rossellini gives his characters time to grow and evolve so that when they reach an emotional turning-point, we are right there beside them. I noticed some suspect film and sound edits that made me wonder whether or not I was watching a slightly corrupted copy of the film. But despite these occasional hiccups, Europa '51 is a pure cinematic epiphany.
9/10
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