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The world is stronger than me.
Against its power I have nothing but myself, which, in any case, is quite something.
When we first meet him, Martin is an erstwhile laborer with little education and plenty of charm.
He doesnt wilt, however, or retreat.
Instead, Martin vows to read as much as he can.
He rejects opportunities for a middle-class life, his sights set on something greater.
Speaking up at a left-wing protest, Martin asserts the right of the individual against collective action.
From such by-the-bootstraps libertarianism, its just a hop, skip, and a jump to out-and-out fascism.
Despite the historical overtones,Martin Edentakes place in a kind of timeless past.
Such anachronistic touches never stick out, however, or draw attention to themselves.
Marcello avoids didacticism, instead using the textures of the film to evoke Martins ideological journey.
What was once a righteous passion transforms into wide-eyed rage and bitterness.
These are the kinds of movies we talk about for years.
