Europa '51 (1952)

After the death of her son (Sandro Franchina), a wealthy wife (Ingrid Bergman) undergoes a transformation that disturbs her husband (Alexander Knox). She changes from a self centered upper class wife to an unselfish woman attempting to do good deeds for the poor and underprivileged. Of course, in a materialistic and narcissistic society, everybody thinks she's literally lost her mind. The second collaboration between Ingrid Bergman and neo-realist director Robert Rossellini (the first was STROMBOLI) is an ambitious observation of how society has deteriorated to the point that a do gooder, someone who has empathy for the downtrodden and tries to help, is considered insane! Why would a woman who has "everything" abandon her plush life to care for a dying prostitute, help a poverty ridden family with their medical bills or work in a factory? At first, the film seems to be embracing a Marxist philosophy but it's rejected by Bergman's character and by the film's end, Rossellini suggests that this woman may indeed be a saint! But Bergman's "saint" is not a pious martyr, she's filled with doubt, conflict and despair. The ending is intentionally disturbing, the non conformist as if sensing hers is an impossible task surrendering to to the establishment. Strong stuff! With Giulietta Masina, Teresa Pellati and Ettore Giannini.