A Screen Classic

Rating: 10/10 (20 April 2001)

Roberto Benigni's performance in this film stands not only as the

greatest of modern, i.e, last 20 years, comedic, performances, but as

one of cinemas all time best. This is not to underplay the importance

of his more dramatic work in the film, as both are stunning. It is

rather that I wish to say that this is true comedy, blending both

genres into an incredibly complex achievement.
In this astonishingly emotional tale, we the audience are introduced

to Guido, a character that at once seems fresh and close to home. Fresh

because we have rarely seen such energy before, because we have never

seen acting quite like this before. Close to home, because we can all

identify with him to some degree, because He is 100% human. The

inflections in Benigni's voice, the look in his eyes, the lines on his

face, the way he moves-I hate to make comparisons, but, if Buster

Keaton and Charlie Chaplin were combined, you would probably end up

with something like this-it all adds up to one of the most finely

wrought performances you are ever likely to encounter.

This engaging tale is full of such passion that at time it is

overwhelming. If you have ever doubted that a story can transcend

language barriers, than this film should be priority viewing. The

characters and their performers come alive with such vision that at

times you may feel yourself drawn into the film to such a degree that

you cannot help but to cry.
Many people complained that the film made fun of a tragic event. I

say that it hardly did that. Rather, it is a monument which attests to

mans ability to face any obstacle, and overcome it, even if bad things

happen have happened to good people. That in the end, we should all

remember how precious our lives really are, and that life is indeed

beautiful.