An Excellent And Outstanding Italian Tragicomedy

Rating: 10/10 (26 November 2011)

Life Is Beautiful is an Italian film which tells the story of a Jewish Italian, Guido Orefice, who must employ his fertile imagination to help his family during their internment in a Nazi concentration camp.Guido was played by Roberto Benigni, who also directed and co-wrote the film.It also stars Nicoletta Braschi,Giorgio Cantarini,Giustino Durano and Sergio Bini Bustric.
Life Is Beautiful is a tragicomedy that presents Guido, who moves during the 1930's from the country to a Tuscan town, where he is entranced by schoolteacher Dora. Dora likes Guido, but she remains faithful to her pompous fiancé, so Guido has an uphill struggle. Meanwhile, anti-Semitic attitudes lead to attacks against Guido's Jewish uncle. Leaping ahead to five years later, during WW II, Guido and Dora are married and have a son Giosue. After they are imprisoned in a concentration camp, Guido goes to elaborate lengths to keep his son from understanding the truth of their situation. He tells the boy that they are competing with others to win an armored tank -- so everything from food shortages to tattoos is explained as necessary for participation in the contest.
Life Is Beautiful is a truly one unforgettable film.Although I find some of Benigni's slapstick a little bit over-the-top and forced,it still overcomes the message presented by the film as to the sacrifices a parent would do for their children.In this case,it was a child's innocence is worth protecting.It was also both poignant and sincere as well.Even though some viewers may consider it implausible or some form of manipulation,it nevertheless proves to be some sort of sensitive and touching especially when one tries to protect one from experiencing childhood trauma during the World War II Holocaust.It was definitely touching and a heartwarming story that would truly be unforgettable.