Simply appalling

Rating: 4/10 (30 November 2009)

I just can't get how such a train-wreck of a movie could get produced, let alone win an Oscar.
Roberto Benigni used to be a decent comedian, often over-the-top and politically incorrect to the bone. But he was okay and had some enjoyable comedies under his belt.
Then, somehow somewhat, he was given the role of Cinamatic Genius and was led to believe he could write and produce whatever piece of outrageous cinema he wanted, because he was so damn good, funny and witty.
Sadly, Life is Beautiful is a comedy about the Holocaust.
Sure, not about The Holocaust, but about a father and son getting swallowed by the Nazis death machine. But the "familiar" dimension of the tragedy shouldn't be a poor excuse for getting away with poorly written slapstick comedy about lotteries, birthday parties, riddles and romantic liaisons.
The "concentration camp" looks more like a Fat Kids Summer Camp, considering the relative freedom of movement, and the convenient presence of the female camp nearby, allowing the corny "Buongiorno Principessa" episode.
The Nazis look like brain-dead tools who talk a scary language and don't understand Benigni making fun of them (while that alone would have granted death on the spot, but hey... it's a COMEDY!!!). Italian fascists instead are the stereotypical self-important buffoons who were even too inept to be considered scary.
The message of the movie, whatever it is, gets lost in a sea of cheap comedy in a frighteningly misplaced location.
Is it supposed to be sweet, touchy, emotional and even funny? To me it was just painful, disrespectful and unfunny (even ignoring the absurdity of the situation).
Last but not least, Benigni spoofing Chaplin is the craptacular icing on an equally shitty cake of a movie.
The fact Benigni got an Oscar, worldwide recognition and domestic superstardom is a clear sign of how sheepish the movie industry is... Some topics just scream "Oscar-bait", and sure Holocaust is one of them.
Sadly, Benigni had to take a different route to get to the same goal.