Just to say hi and I do pop on here sometimes. Hope all is well with my buddies. Linda
Just to say hi and I do pop on here sometimes. Hope all is well with my buddies. Linda
Member since:08.10.2003
Reviews:144
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I became inquisitive about this film when I was reading a book referring to human nature and how we cope mentally in adverse conditions - The 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 his acting is packed with slap stick comedy and his character comes across as comical and whimsical.
My husband, knowing what kind of films I rave about sat very quiet with a bemused look on his face asking me whether the DVD was the one I ordered from EBay and perhaps it was put in the wrong case. 'Never fear' I said, 'believe in me, you will see, the film is good!' Although initially watching the film I did begin to wonder myself! As the film progressed it made me laugh and wanting to know what would happen next.
Moving into his Jewish uncle's house Guido works as a waiter and aims to
win the heart of Dora,(Nicoletta Braschi)the woman of his dreams. His antics to do this are hilarious at times. Although, we must remember that the time is at the beginning of World War Two so there are also serious undertones.
Guido and Dora's son Giosue played by Georgio Cantarini is a wonderful character who had me mesmerised. The film is worth watching just for the expressions on this little boys face.
The story leads into the war years with extremely serious consequences. I found the story line quite chilling at times as there is comedy mixed in with terrible tragedy and sometimes our sense of humour I think can quite shock us as well as confuse us in our thinking.
The latter part of the film is set in a concentration camp at first I thought of Auschwitz and having been there myself it did not quite ring true as the history of horror there is unbelievable and I could not see how comedy could fit in. However I thought of Auschwitz but knew it was not filmed there as the scenery around Auschwitz is flat yet in the film there was a mountain in the background. The camp did not look the same either. I found this very interesting as I realised it was not really relevant to be an exact place, just the thought, perhaps our imagination of such a horrid place was enough because the storyline was the triumph of the film. To link comedy with a concentration camp is a hard concept - and an idea which initially disturbed me but on reflection we read or see the horrors in films and books and do not read or see anything in the slight bit funny and yet in reality, human nature sometimes has this habit of helping us to look 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 about the film. He certainly must have had critics deride him for his subject matter with comedy. I must confess I have never heard of him before this film.
At times the film portrays love at its best, in its deepest sense of not being with someone in person but definitely in thoughts. To explain this better perhaps I would say - words appeared to me to be transferred into actions which to me seemed to shout from the screen- I would not say that the film is Surreal but it did seem to have elements which portray a dream like world - a kind of simple world - for no one could pretend to be a character like Guido without having a nervous breakdown, well I don't think so anyway.
It was an absorbing and unusual film, it certainly made me think, laugh out loud and become choked up. This was interesting as I did not find the film sentimental and wondered why I felt so choked up with a few tears slipping out too. My husband after watching the film was quiet - Then said 'I will have to think about that one!' Think? It certainly made me think and yes it is a most unusual film especially with the latter setting but I have deliberately omitted a crucial part of this film - the relationship between father and son and that is why I recommend this film to you. The film pulls out a contrast of emotions and definitely makes one think about life and… how beautiful life really is…
I bought mine off EBay for £7.00 Most of the DVD's are subtitled but mine is an English Language version which was fine.
Details Producer - Elsa Ferri and Gianluigi Braschi Director Roberto Benigni Running Time - Approx 111 minutes PG
Teacherofhooch
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My reaction to the movie was much the same as yours. In the latter half I laughed at scenes such as the one where Guido gets on the PA in the camp, but at the same time reminding myself about how surreal it all was. The deception played out by the father for his little boy was an amazing act of love. Yes, I found myself very moved and shed tears. Great review. Bri xx
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Apr 29th, 2006
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