A very extraordinary life story in making the best of a bad situation.

Rating: 10/10 (7 October 2016)

La vita è bella (Life is Beautiful) is the 1997 Italian comedy drama directed and starring Roberto Benigni about the constant over the moon father who becomes determined to distract his son from the horrors of the holocaust when captured and taken to a concentration camp. Receiving 7 Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, and winning 3 for Best Actor, Original score and Foreign language film, it is rightly so to this unbelievable masterpiece. Life is Beautiful exceptionally defies controversy by bringing comic value to a delicate subject which it very successfully executes, combining the strong power of comedy and emotion in the same package.
Guido Orefice (Benigni) is the most joyous and glee filled Italian waiter in Italy and arrives to his Uncle's home town to work in his restaurant where he twice falls (quite literally) head over high heels for the lovely 'princess' Dora with whom he is certain is the one. When life moves blissfully on, Guido and his son Giosuè get captured and sent to a concentration camp. However, to spare his son from the truth about where they are, Guido convinces his son that they are part of a game and must gain 1000 point to win.
With an absolutely wonderful performance by Benigni, Life is Beautiful swirls us into a fabulous new world to look for all the happiness that dwells in the darkness. As well as effectively portraying a fun loving father, Benigni perfectly presents his dedication and care as a father to his son even in the hardest times.
What makes the film unique, is the sensational blend of pleasant satire and heart melting drama, a rare success. Although you think at first, that the film is going to be easy to watch charming slapstick humour, it gently moves you into its rather delicate subject matter but making it still an easy watch. This also supported by the charming Oscar winning score by Nicola Piovani.
Another star of the show is Giorgio Cantarini who plays Giosuè, phenomenally expressing the whole experience through his eyes and as we are driven along with the story we feel attached to the lie that Guido states and feel a softening tone to the situation.
Life is Beautiful is a very extraordinary piece of film and a very daring make, but perfectly accomplished, deserving everything it received. An unforgettable film that does something that many other films haven't. An absolute must see. 10/10