Umberto D (re-release) 2002

As the police disperse an elderly group demanding a long-overdue pension increase, Umberto D. Ferrari (Vittorio Gassman), a retired government worker, returns to his humble abode, only to find it occupied by a young couple for a fleeting hour of intimacy. His landlady’s ruthless decision to rent out the room has left him with an insurmountable task: paying off the overdue rent of 15,000 lire within a fortnight. With time running out, Umberto is forced to part with his treasured watch and books, but the meager sum he raises barely scratches the surface.

Meanwhile, the empathetic maid confides in Umberto about her own struggles, torn between two soldiers vying for her affections. The uncertainty surrounding which one is the father of her three-month-old pregnancy adds to her distress.

As Umberto’s health begins to decline, he seeks refuge in a hospital, only to be diagnosed with tonsillitis and subsequently discharged after a few days’ rest. Returning to his apartment, he finds it in disarray, with workmen transforming the space into an enlarged living room. The landlady’s forthcoming marriage serves as a cruel reminder of Umberto’s own financial woes.

The maid’s revelation that Flike, Umberto’s beloved dog, has gone missing compounds the retired man’s despair. Desperate to ensure his pet’s safety, Umberto rushes to the city pound and is overjoyed to be reunited with Flike. However, when he turns to a friend for a loan, his request is met with silence.

Crushed by his friend’s indifference, Umberto finds himself on the precipice of desperation. Yet, he knows that taking his own life would leave Flike without a protector, prompting him to gather his belongings and depart the apartment. As he leaves, Umberto imparts one final piece of advice to the maid: sever ties with the unsuitable suitor from Florence.

As Umberto’s desperation grows, he embarks on a futile quest to find a permanent home for Flike, initially approaching a canine-caring couple and then a young acquaintance. However, when a stern nanny intervenes, forcing the little girl to relinquish her newfound companion, Umberto is left no choice but to abandon his efforts and let fate take its course. With a heavy heart, he surreptitiously slips away from Flike’s playful escapades with some new friends, hoping that one of them might take pity on the dog and offer it a forever home.

Meanwhile, Umberto himself disappears into the shadows, only to be tracked down by Flike, who has somehow managed to sniff out his owner. The canine’s keen senses lead him straight to Umberto, who is hiding under a footbridge, defeated and heartbroken. In a moment of sheer desperation, Umberto scoops up Flike in his arms and sets off towards the nearby railway tracks, oblivious to the impending doom that awaits them.

As the train hurtles towards its destination, Flike’s instincts kick in, and it frantically wriggles free from Umberto’s grasp. Panicked, the dog takes flight, prompting Umberto to give chase. Initially, Flike remains wary, hiding out of fear, but as Umberto calls out to him with a pine cone, coaxing him into play, their bond begins to mend.

Though still without a permanent home, Umberto and Flike form an unbreakable bond as they continue to scavenge for scraps and survive together on the streets. With every passing day, their companionship grows stronger, a testament to the enduring power of friendship in the face of adversity.