A very moving comi-drama

Rating: 10/10 (27 November 1999)

In a world where such movies as "There's Something About Mary", "Austin Powers", "South Park" and other ridiculous filth pass as good comedy, Roberto Benigni has brought hope to lovers of great comedy. Benigni resurrects the classical comic styles of Buster Keaton, Laurel and Hardy, and Charlie Chaplin in La Vita e Bella, a very touching drama about a newfound family on the verge of being destroyed by the Holocaust and the good humor of the father which keeps their hope alive.
This film is a very refreshing watch for lovers of good cinema. Rare is the film that can give its viewers such a dichotomy of emotions so successfully. La Vita e Bella is truly funny and truly tragic.
As many have said, I think the 1st part of the film (the courtship of 'Princepesa') should have been a little shorter to allow more time to be focused on the intriguing relationship between father and son in the prison camp during the second half. However, that takes little, if any, from Benigni's near-perfect masterpiece.
A definite ***** (out of 5). Watch this film as soon as you get 105 minutes of free time!