LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL
SYNOPSIS:
Guido (Roberto Benigni) is a young Jewish man with a childlike innocence and imagination
who dreams of owning a book shop. With his poet friend, Ferruccio, Guido comes to the
Tuscan town of Arrezzo seeking fortune and romance, ignoring the growing anti-Semitism and
the Fascist government. Guido falls in love with Dora (Nicoletta Braschi), a beautiful
young school teacher and a fairy tale romance ensues. Four years later, in the happiest
year of their lives with a beautiful little boy, the fairy tale shatters when Guido and
his son are sent to a concentration camp three months before the war's end. Out of love,
Dora deports herself on the same train. Now in a nightmare world, Guido must use his bold
imagination and every ounce of his indefatigable spirit to save those he loves.
"Effervescent, uplifting, comedic and tragic, Life is Beautiful is an
extraordinary film whose glorious spirit explodes on screen like fireworks. It elicits the
widest swings on the pendulum– from the ridiculously silly to the most painful. This
wondrous world where imagination propels emotions to the highest pinnacle, the very
essence of romanticism, is showcased to the highest degree. Roberto Benigni has created a
magical world seen through the rose coloured glasses of his character’s imagination;
this mechanism for survival puts a bright slant on the grimmest of moments. There's an
energy, vigor and joy for life that is totally contagious. The script is crafted with
skill and flair; there are visual gags, running gags and a reason for everything that
happens throughout. With a simple edit, Life is Beautiful displays the most effective jump
in time that I have ever seen in film – it is unexpected, artistic and absolutely
effective. Music is used to utmost –Offenbach's Tales of Hoffman is totally
unforgettable and emotionally overwhelming. The settings and locations in the first half
are picturesque and full of poetry. The performances are simply wonderful – Benigni
is phenomenal; Braschi bewitching and four year old Cantarini indescribable. It's a matter
of taking the cards you're dealt and imagining they're aces. Uplifting, funny, sad, moving
and overwhelmingly romantic, Life is Beautiful is a magnificent bitter-sweet cinematic gem
to savour, enjoy and cherish. Definitely my favourite film of the year."
Louise Keller
"The publicity material for this film describes it as ‘Chaplinesque’.
This is accurate in a sense; but don’t think this means Life is Beautiful is a
playful romp. It does have echoes of Chaplin - but it is the Chaplin of The Great Dictator
rather than The Floorwalker. Co-written, directed by and starring Roberto Benigni -
usually thought of as Italy’s answer to Jacques Tati - Life is Beautiful is, in large
part, not a comedy. In the first half of the film, the loveable Guido uses his rather
offbeat humour and childlike innocence to woo the initially reluctant Dora. There are some
genuinely funny moments in this segment; and even though dark undertones of anti-Semitism
are present, they are generally swamped by Guido’s charming manner. But in the second
half, after the family is sent to a concentration camp and Guido tries desperately to
protect his son’s life, the ‘humour’ has a different tone. Guido’s
mannerisms and breezy attitude haven’t outwardly changed; but in context,
they’re being used for intensely dramatic, not comic, effect. And this is the magic
of the film - Benigni has created a deceptively simple story of human dignity and hope
that transcends cinematic labels. The heart of the film is Benigni’s wonderful
performance as Guido. While the supporting cast is also good, special mention should be
made of Giorgio Cantarini who is especially effective as Joshua. Life is Beautiful is a
marvellous film that touches and enriches."
David Edwards
"This endlessly creative film bristles with irony – its title a good
indication of Benigni’s effortless play with the concept. Life is NOT beautiful,
especially for Jews in World War II, unless you paint it so. But while the war is its
setting, the film is much fresher than that implies. Nothing will prepare you for
Benigni’s extraordinary Guido, and his ability to be at once a fool and the wise man.
This is at the heart of the film, the portrayal of a man who is what Shakespeare’s
fools were: childlike and foolish, simple on the surface, yet profoundly wise and
sensitive in the matters of living life to its full importance. That apparent
contradiction is the engine for Life is Beautiful, and – being unique - it will touch
you like no other film. The role fits Benigni like a tailored glove, giving his clown-like
persona a fitting gravitas, and letting us see compassion and love through his unique,
uplifting eyes. Impressively, the film never puts an emotional foot wrong in what is a far
more complex and profound work than it appears to be. Moving, exciting, wonderful cinema.
It deserves its Grand Jury Prize."
Andrew L. Urban
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CRITICAL COUNT
Favourable: 3
Unfavourable: 0
Mixed: 0
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TRAILER
SOFCOM MOVIE TIMES
LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL (M)
(Italy)
CAST: Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, Giorgio Cantarini, Giustino Durano, Sergio
Bustric, Marisa Paredes, Horst Buchholz, Lydia Alfonsi
DIRECTOR: Roberto Benigni
PRODUCER: Elda Ferri, Gianluigi Braschi
SCRIPT: Vincenzo Cerami, Roberto Benigni
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Tonino Delli Colli
EDITOR: Simona Paggi
MUSIC: Nicola Piovani
PRODUCTION DESIGN, COSTUMES, SET DECORATION: Danilo Donati
RUNNING TIME: 116 minutes
AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR: Roadshow
AUSTRALIAN RELEASE: December 26, 1998
AWARDS: Grand Jury Prize, Cannes 1998; Eight David di Donatello (Italian Oscar) awards
including Best Picture, Actor, Director and Screenplay
VIDEO RELEASE: December 30, 1999
VIDEO DISTRIBUTOR: Roadshow Home Entertainment
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