Bruce Loeb on Piano. Shot in the streets of Naples, Assunta Spina is famous as an early precurser to neorealism, and for being the best film of the great diva Francesca Bertini, who gives a very modern performance as a woman of the people. Assunta is a laundress engaged to Michele (played by co-director Serena), whose jealous behavior over Assunta lands him in jail. Assunta meanwhile is obliged to become the mistress of a law clerk in the case. Pierre Sorlin writes, "Bertini, as Assunta, succeeds in being both sweet and dry...not the kind of simple virgin who brings out the protective urge in others, so that Michele's manifestations of love are alternately repaid or undercut by a sardonic witticism. (Later she) gives a bitter note to her disintegrating relationship with Michele, while displaying love, grief, hatred, and despair in a provocative, unrestrained way. Despite the very masculine flavor which informs the story, Bertini is allowed to manifest emotions usually considered unacceptable for her sex."