Life Is Beautiful (DVD)

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 ...
...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 ...

groinstraddle 05.07.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Life Is Beautiful (DVD)

...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 · Read full review
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Review of Life Is Beautiful (DVD)

...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 · Read full review
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Review of Life Is Beautiful (DVD)

...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 · Read full review
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Review of Life Is Beautiful (DVD)

...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) · Read full review
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Review of Life Is Beautiful (DVD)

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 · Read full review
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Review of Life Is Beautiful (DVD)