Masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (20 June 2005)

The word genius is terribly overused in our society, probably because there are so few. Benigni is a genius! This movie is about LOVE, Selflessness, and hope! If you are going to watch one movie in your whole life, this is it! If you love movies like I do, this is why!
I saw this movie when it first opened, my Mother called me and begged me to see this movie immediately. I knew not what is was about. Like a good son, I obeyed my mom.
It starts off Benigni wooing his wife to be, Nicoletta Braschi, with all the slapstick of a Chaplin flick. They get married and have the CUTEST little boy, played by Giorgio Cantarini. (Oh That Face!!!)
Life is beautiful until those Nazi's come. The movie does a 180 degree turn and your mesmerized for the next 75 minutes. You will roar with laughter and cry like a baby.
I never thought I would truly have one favorite movie of all time. Before this movie, I'd say Beckett (with O'Toole and Burton), GodFather, Amadeus, etc. Then this flick comes along.
I still can't believe Benigni wrote, directed, and starred in this movie. Unbelievable achievement. He's my hero!
And speaking of hero's, all the movies, all the Arnold Schwarzenegger's , Bruce Willis', Stalones, etc etc etc and this little ugly skinny Italian is one of the greatest heroine's in Cinema history!