Funny and Heart-Wrenching

Rating: 9/10 (26 November 2015)

Recommendations to watch this movie came often during my years in Italy, and when I finally sat down to watch it I was able to enjoy it in its original language. Afterwards I showed parts of this movie to my kids in English and certain scenes, like a wonderful waiter moment, lost some of their charm. I only showed parts because the movie has dark moments as it brushes heavily against the darkness that was world war two. The main character is lovable and charming and the story of his family's survival through world war two is heart warming and heart wrenching. The story itself works very well and the acting works as well, where hamminess is actually a deliberate character trait, made even more evident by some obvious switches to seriousness as needed - this is especially effective in maintaining the audiences understanding of the seriousness of the situation and helps the viewer to appreciate and love the characters involved. This is a movie worth watching and enjoying.