Where Is Freedom?: Roberto Rossellini’s gentle comedy about a man that can’t find his place in society after a long stint in prison holds quite a bit of irony and criticism of post-war Italy. That makes it an atypical Italian neorealist film, one that is as thematically hard-hitting but generally lighter in tone. Much of that comes from Totò’s performance as the one-time criminal who is nevertheless hardworking and a straight-arrow; he constantly looks as if he is absorbing everything around him with disbelief. The other actors are appropriate but hardly leave a mark, one way or another. The film has a very simple and efficient look, displaying the dilapidated condition of Rome and its inhabitants; Renzo Rossellini’s musical score has quite a few beautiful moments.