Bosley Crowther, a film critic for the New York Times reviewed The Bicycle Thief (De Sica, 1948) soon after its release in the United States. He gives the film a glowing review stating “Again the Italians have sent us a brilliant and devastating film in Vittorio De Sica’s rueful modern city life.” In his analysis, he states that the narrative shows one man’s drive to survive in the face of poverty and misfortune. In the main point of his article, he states that the film is universal because it demonstrates that life’s events are balanced by hope and despair.
Crowther credits the acting, music, and plot for effectively translating the comedy and tragedy of everyday life. He states De Sica shoots in actual settings using non-professional
