La Vita è Bella. Before I saw this film, I was a little confused as to just how it had earned its controversial reputation. As I watched it, I could see how some people, if they were small-minded, could object to it.
Roberto Benigni is well-known in Italy for his slapstick comedy roles. ... Read review
Italy's rubber-faced funnyman Roberto Benigni accomplishes the impossible in his World War ... more
II comedyLife Is Beautiful: he shapes a simultaneously hilarious and haunting comedy out of the tragedy of the Holocaust. An internationalsensation and the most ...
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Italy's rubber-faced funnyman Roberto Benigni accomplishes the impossible in his World War ... more
II comedyLife Is Beautiful: he shapes a simultaneously hilarious and haunting comedy out of the tragedy of the Holocaust. An international sensation and the most...
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Production Year: 1997 - Drama - Director: Ronan O'Leary - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: James Spader, Anne Brochet, Barry McGovern, Anna Massey
Drama - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Shelagh Fraser, Barbara Flynn, Keith Drinkel, Felicity Kendal, Pam Ferris, Colin Douglas
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Advantages: Tears of joy, sadness and laughter Disadvantages: Issues may be too difficult for some
La Vita è Bella. Before I saw this film, I was a little confused as to just how it had earned its controversial reputation. As I watched it, I could see how some people, if they were small-minded, could object to it.
Roberto Benigni is well-known in Italy for his slapstick comedy roles. I haven't actually seen him in any other Italian films, but he was in the english-language Down By Law, and the dire Son of the Pink Panther. He won ... ...I add, it was a highly justified choice for once. The film also won Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Original Dramatic Score in the 1999 Academy Awards.
This film is genuinely funny and I don't want to ruin it by revealing all the jokes...
The film starts in Arezzo, in fascist-ruled Italy in 1939, following Benigni's character, Guido Orefice, as he arrives in town to work as a waiter, staying at his Uncle's ... more
La Vita è Bella. Before I saw this film, I was a little confused as to just how it had earned its controversial reputation. As I watched it, I could see how some people, if they were small-minded, could object to it.
Roberto Benigni is well-known in Italy for his slapstick comedy roles. I haven't actually seen him in any other Italian films, but he was in the english-language Down By Law, and the dire Son of the Pink Panther. He won the Oscar for Best Actor for this film, and, might I add, it was a highly justified choice for once. The film also won Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Original Dramatic Score in the 1999 Academy Awards.
This film is genuinely funny and I don't want to ruin it by revealing all the jokes...
The film starts in Arezzo, in fascist-ruled Italy in 1939, following Benigni's character, Guido Orefice, as he arrives in town to work as a waiter, staying at his Uncle's house.
The film launches straight into good, clean, slapstick comedy - the like of which is seldom seen in modern film - as Guido and his friend career downhill in a car without brakes. After a humorous case of mistaken identity, the car stops, and we witness Guido's eloquent, fast-talking charm, and meet the film's leading lady, played by Benigni's real-life wife, Nicoletta Braschi.
The first section of the film concerns Guido trying to woo the woman he calls, "Principessa". There is a brilliantly conceived part after the opera, where prefectly-timed events convene to make him appear as some kind of conjuror to her.
There are other great bits, such as the hat-swapping saga, and the scenes at the school and at the social dinner.
"Principessa", whose character name is Dora, is not a Jew, which provides a problem for her later on in the film. We learn that Guido is a Jew, and he faces many prejudices in the film, which is perhaps why some people found it unpleasant that a comedy is set in the fascist era and concerns the treatment of Jewish people.
Obviously Benigni, on the top of his trade as a comedy actor and director, perhaps in the same way as Spielberg did with Schindler's List, wanted to make a bold statement against the anti-semitism of the WWII era, in the way he knew best.
You don't need to be Jewish to appreciate the sadness of this film, yet it is a story about bravery, and the love of a father for his son, strong enough to overcome the Nazi army... well, almost.
Guido's son appears after about 45 minutes, in a fantastic Kubrick/2001-styled cut, where Guido and Dora enter the greenhouse for their first night together - suddenly, several years later, young Giosue runs out dragging his toy tank.
It isn't long before the major change occurs in the film, prefaced when Giosue asks, "Why aren't Jews or Dogs allowed in this shop?" His father replies, "Everybody does what they want to...There's a hardware store over there, they don't let Spanish people or horses in!"
Guido tries throughout the rest of the film to protect his son from hearing, seeing or understanding any of the anti-semitic prejudices of the time. This becomes very difficult when Guido and Giosue are taken, along with Uncle, and eventually Dora on the train to the concentration camp.
Guido pretends that travelling on a train is great fun, and that everyone is very eager to get on. When they arrive at the camp, Guido tells Giosue that it is all a big challenge, and that they could win a real tank if they get enough points from behaving well and working hard.
Perhaps it is the wrong thing to do, in pretending that none of the events concerning the Jews are wrong, but Guido manages to keep Giosue's spirits to a high level, keeping him ever-optimistic about winning the challenge - is that so bad?
Paradoxically, this film is very hard to watch, particularly in subsequent viewings, but is very compelling. It is incredibly sad, yet, is one of the funniest comedies you can find.
Perhaps the people that complained the most are those who haven't seen it. People are probably most likely to complain after hearing about a comedy about a jewish family in a death camp if they haven't actually witnessed how charming and funny is can actually be.
The prologue to the film is as follows, "This is a simple story...but not an easy one to tell. Like a fable, there is sorrow, and, like a fable, it is full of wonder and happiness."
I don't think I could describe it as succinctly.
>Highlights
The way Guido talks in this film is great, from occasions when he jibber-jabbers away, sounding like some cartoon character talking pseudo-italian, to the way he pretends to be a visiting dignitary at the school, to the way in the second section of the film he explains to his son what is happening. Benigni showcases a diverse range of talents as an actor in this film, not to mention doing a very good job as a director. He co-wrote the film brilliantly, and as previously mentioned, some of the timing of set-pieces is superb.
The surprise ending is one of the most incredible endings I have ever seen. I don't think any ending of any film has had such an impact on me.
>Recommendation
I would advise anyone who likes comdey or who knows the plight of the Jews in WWII to watch this film. It's much more enjoyable than Schindler's List, it is of course funnier, and a LOT more moving, in that it shows a much more detailed human interest story - the plight and bravery of the Orefice family.
It has become one of my favourite films, and becomes harder and harder to watch each time. Watch it once though, and you'll be glad you did.
>DVD Extras
None - unless you count scene selection as an extra! The English subtitles are really helpful though!
>£
£6.99 from Play.com last year is what I paid. It was more than worth it.
Advantages: A film to make you think Disadvantages: Could be a difficult concept to accept
...author of the book quoted Life is Beautiful. This intrigued me and I was determined to see the film.
The main character is a man called Guido, (Roberto Benigni) He was magnificent in the film and I can see why he was awarded best actor in 1999.
The film also received two more awards, one for Best Foreign Language film and the other - Best music, original score.
Set in Italy in 1939, Guido has a wonderful imagination; at the beginning of the film ... ...on the brighter side of life in the most adverse situations. I think Benigni was trying to put over human strength in adversity and the human spirit which the Nazi's with all their horror could not kill.
When we also consider that Benigni's father was in Bergen Belsen and part of this film is based on his father's experiences then we can begin to comprehend that spirit; is not a light thought, which in turn must have made Benigni think very deeply ...
teacherofhooch 29.04.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Life Is Beautiful (DVD)
Advantages: Great story, excellent performances, total eye opener Disadvantages: none
...getting a tank.
Life is Beautiful (La Vita è bella) is an Italian film, which has English subtitles, but before you stop reading dismissing this as something you wouldn't watch, I urge you to read on. The film is set during the Second World War and follows the life of Guido as he creates a life for himself in Arezzo with his new family but unfortunately ends up in a concentration camp, the whole time trying to make life as enjoyable as possible ... ...I seriously recommend you watch it as it will open your eyes to a better quality of film making. Life is Beautiful is available on Amazon for £5.97 which is a very reasonable price to pay for a film which will open a whole new genre of films to you. ...
christianfilmcritic 27.02.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Life Is Beautiful (DVD)
Advantages: Funny, warm and intelligent Disadvantages: Er... the Holocaust
...the denial of art, humour, life represents victory for the anti-humanity of the Nazis.
Robert Benigni’s wonderful movie covers much of the same ground and sparked many similar discussions upon its US release in 1998 (1999 in the UK).
Benigni won an Academy Award for his performance as Guido. At the start of the film we see Giudo fall in love and woo his principessa, Dora, played by Nicoletta Braschi. The chemistry between these two performers is ... ...suggest that the movie is life affirming. There are too many unmarked graves for this to be the case, but Life is Beautiful is a smart, funny and honourable fiction about human beings in man’s darkest hour.
The DVD is available from Amazon.co.uk for £6.97 and rated PG.
The DVD is in Italian with subtitles although it may also be watched with a dubbed English soundtrack. There are no special features. ...
danielse 16.03.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Life Is Beautiful (DVD)
Advantages: An eye opener on the suffering of Jewish people during the second world war Disadvantages: A sad film
...a good insight on how life was in my homeland Italy some years ago. I agree it can be quite difficult to be attracted to a film belonging to a different culture, I for example find it very hard to watch French films but I am attracted to the solarity of the Indian ones. I find that once we try different things and we cross the boundary of the "unknown" we might actually be quite surprised on how much we might relate to a different culture or how ... ...mind and we all know life can't be sad all the time, we might have some problems, some much bigger than others sometimes, but we do have a little ray of light now and again, a little cause for joy, may be love, something that might bring up a smile or some laughter and that is what makes us keep going, a reason to live and face whatever gets thrown to us. This is what this film is all about...
STORY
-----------
This film is based In 1930s Italy, ...
petal99 19.02.2007 (05.04.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Life Is Beautiful (DVD)
Advantages: Not to be missed - a wonderful movie. Disadvantages: Heart wrenching
This film is a humbling, comical, romantic and heart wrenching story. A movie that everyone should watch before they die. The talented Roberto Benigni, who as well as directing the film, plays the wonderfully enigmatic lead role of Guido. He is quick witted, slighty goofy and a hopeless romantic. A character that you will fall in love with instantly. The inspiring relationship between Guido and his young son Giosue, superbly played by Giorgo Cantarini, ... ...dubious of ever enjoying a foreign language film but I defy anyone to watch this movie and not completely fall in love with the characters. You will be truly inspired by this tragic yet moving story of family, love and determination.
Warning: Do not watch without a large box of tissues. ...
miss_77x 31.08.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Life Is Beautiful (DVD)
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Best Actor In A Leading Role 1998 (Roberto Benigni)
Professional reviews
Review
"...[Benigni] succeeds, to an extraordinary degree, in reviving the neo-Technicolor lushness and affectionate screwball rhythms of postwar Hollywood....A delicate romance spiked with antifascist farce..." (Entertainment Weekly, p.54, 06/11/1998)
"...Mr. Benigni effectively creates a situation in which comedy is courage. And he draws from this an unpretentious, enormously likable film that plays with history both seriously and mischievously..." (New York Times, p.E14, 23/10/1998)
"...[Benigni] puts a serious spin on his comic genius..." (Premiere, p.29, 01/10/1998)
"...[A] magnificent film....Real emotional strength..." (Sight and Sound, p.46, 01/02/1999)
DVD Description
Conjuring keys and hats out of thin air, Guido (Roberto Benigni), a clever Jewish-Italian waiter, successfully courts Dora (Nicoletta Braschi), a beautiful local woman, in Fascist pre-WWII Italy. His life, however, is turned upside down a few years later when he, Dora, and their young son, Giosue (Giorgio Cantarini), are sent to a Nazi concentration camp. Refusing to give up hope, Guido tries to protect his son's innocence by pretending that their imprisonment is just an elaborate game, with the grand prize being a tank. For years the box-office champ in Italy and the country's most beloved slapstick comic, the Chaplinesque Benigni took a huge risk with LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL. Many people worried that the film would be as offensive as plopping a cartoon character in Auschwitz. (A similar work--THE DAY THE CLOWN CRIED, a Jerry Lewis film about a comedian in a concentration camp--turned out to be a disaster two decades earlier.) Although LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL did provoke some controversy, many people found the film to be a poignant, tragicomic story that profoundly reaffirmed the humanity of concentration camp victims. The film became the highest grossing foreign language film in the U.S. and established Benigni as an international star.
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