"The Icicle Thief" is a very difficult film to describe by plot. In fact, I can't think of any other film that is so hard to describe. Don't let that fact hinder you from watching this film! "The Icicle Thief" is a wonderful film, and I strongly recommend it!
I think the easiest way to describe "The Icicle Thief" would be to say there are four basic plot elements involved:
1. A motion picture is being shown on national Italian television (this is where the parody of "The Bicycle Thief" comes in.)
2. There are commercial breaks during the airing of the film.
3. The director of the film being shown on television is present in the television studio.
4. An Italian family watches the film from their living room.
The motion picture that's being shown on Italian television is similar to the classic, "The Bicycle Thief," and the film's director is nervous about its broadcast. The film eventually copies a key scene from "The Bicycle Thief," and a character steals a crystal chandelier from the chandelier factory where he works. The stolen "icicles" are the dangling crystals of the chandelier. Everything seems to be running as scheduled with the broadcast of the film.
Suddenly, something goes haywire as the film is being broadcast! A lovely swimsuit model from one of the commercials gets transported into the film that's being shown! Also, characters from the film being aired find themselves in the commercials! Black and white meets color, and the English language meets Italian as the characters go into worlds which are not of their own media. It's up to the film's director to save his film as it's being aired, and he manages to go into the "world" of his film to straighten it all out. The results are humorous, delightful, and even joyous! While all of this chaos is going on, a family watches the film unfold in the comfort of their living room. They aren't too sure what to make of the film that's being broadcast onto their television!
"The Icicle Thief" is a very imaginative film, and a very well-made film. Director Maurizio Nichetti has crafted something unusual and special. The performances are wonderful; including Maurizio Nichetti's own performance as the director of the film that's being shown on Italian television. Caterina Sylos Labini turns in an excellent performance as the pasta-making wife and mother in the parody of "The Bicycle Thief." Heidi Komarek gives "The Icicle Thief" a fun touch as the English speaking, television commercial model, who finds herself suddenly transported into the Italian film as it's being broadcast.
One of my favorite moments happens when Maria Piermattei (Caterina Sylos Labini), a character from the black and white "Bicycle Thief" parody, finds her little boy has left the black and white film to join a colorful television commercial. It's a moment of colorful brilliance and joy!
I think the easiest way to describe "The Icicle Thief" would be to say there are four basic plot elements involved:
1. A motion picture is being shown on national Italian television (this is where the parody of "The Bicycle Thief" comes in.)
2. There are commercial breaks during the airing of the film.
3. The director of the film being shown on television is present in the television studio.
4. An Italian family watches the film from their living room.
The motion picture that's being shown on Italian television is similar to the classic, "The Bicycle Thief," and the film's director is nervous about its broadcast. The film eventually copies a key scene from "The Bicycle Thief," and a character steals a crystal chandelier from the chandelier factory where he works. The stolen "icicles" are the dangling crystals of the chandelier. Everything seems to be running as scheduled with the broadcast of the film.
Suddenly, something goes haywire as the film is being broadcast! A lovely swimsuit model from one of the commercials gets transported into the film that's being shown! Also, characters from the film being aired find themselves in the commercials! Black and white meets color, and the English language meets Italian as the characters go into worlds which are not of their own media. It's up to the film's director to save his film as it's being aired, and he manages to go into the "world" of his film to straighten it all out. The results are humorous, delightful, and even joyous! While all of this chaos is going on, a family watches the film unfold in the comfort of their living room. They aren't too sure what to make of the film that's being broadcast onto their television!
"The Icicle Thief" is a very imaginative film, and a very well-made film. Director Maurizio Nichetti has crafted something unusual and special. The performances are wonderful; including Maurizio Nichetti's own performance as the director of the film that's being shown on Italian television. Caterina Sylos Labini turns in an excellent performance as the pasta-making wife and mother in the parody of "The Bicycle Thief." Heidi Komarek gives "The Icicle Thief" a fun touch as the English speaking, television commercial model, who finds herself suddenly transported into the Italian film as it's being broadcast.
One of my favorite moments happens when Maria Piermattei (Caterina Sylos Labini), a character from the black and white "Bicycle Thief" parody, finds her little boy has left the black and white film to join a colorful television commercial. It's a moment of colorful brilliance and joy!