The film takes its audience to post World War II Rome where the people are in a state of despair and main character Antonio Ricci is in need of a job in hopes of supporting his family and pulling them out of their depression. When he finally receives a job, he is ashamed that he cannot take it because he does not own the necessary bicycle. After expressing this sadness to his wife, Maria, she quickly strips the sheets off their beds and decides to sell them so Antonio can buy a bike.
On his first day of work, Antonio finally has a sense of accomplishment. It is within the same day, however, that his spirits are once again crushed after a young man steals his bike and rides away. To fearful to face the realization of this truth, he tells his son Bruno that the bike is broken and goes to seek help before telling Maria. The remainder of the movie is spent following the father and son relationship unwind over the shared concern for finding the lost bicycle so Antonio can go back to work. The chase eventually comes to a gloomy ending, where the bike is never found and Antonio lowers himself to a bicycle thief to save the day.
The theme of overcoming desperation is revealed in the very beginning of the film when Antonio’s joy is restored by simply obtaining a job from the government. Throughout the film, this continues to be his one objective in finding happiness and supporting his family. He wishes to stand away from the poverty surrounding him and will stop at nothing until he reaches this goal. His persistence is shadowed by his son and as they travel together in search of a bicycle the truth of his life and the society around him is truly revealed.
This film reveals the ability that we all have to do heartless things to maintain our way of living. Desperate times call for desperate measures has never rung more true than it does in this film and in this post war era. Antonio Ricci discovers in one day’s time that there is no escaping the world and time period he is a part of.
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