La Strada shows that film doesn't have to be a happy or feel good watch, but something utterly authentic to the human perspective. Fellini takes realism to another level as he turns the naive to the broken, pictures the insatiable loneliness in all of us, and ends this cinematic piece in a painfully realistic outcome. While Gelsomina sacrificed her past life to break her family out from the bonds of poverty, she's put back in chains through Zampano's oppressive tactics. As Fellini said, his films are never misunderstood, and what I was most moved by was how Gelsomina sacrificed everything she had for the wellness of her family, later for Zampano as she chose to stay with him, ultimately having her life taken from her grave decisions. This piece is the practical "you get what you give" film as Zampano also loses everyone he has known due to his past actions while his guilt and loneliness consume him.  

Just as any piece of art, La Strada is subjective on an infinite level as Zampano can be seen as the wretched man who brought Gelsomina to her end or a hurt, lonely man whose insecurities lead his life. Anything that can move a viewer is in fact their own personal answer to what La Strada is about or what a character resembles for them, it's all dependent on the mind of the viewer. What's so beautiful about this film is its ability to rope every character together in their loneliness, Gelsomina has no one to love her, The Fool travels and works alone, and Zampano hurts everyone who gets too close to him. Personally, I felt that the core to this piece was in fact loneliness, as well as sacrifice, as this feeling was so impactful in all three of the main characters throughout the movie. No one felt the warm feeling of love or the comfort of a secure life, rather Gelsomina felt a lack of purpose, Zampano lacked in security in his own skin, and The Fool fell short in companionship. The purpose of this film can go on and on the deeper a viewer goes, but most importantly this piece is precisely what it means to them.