Stunning

Rating: 10/10 (10 July 2010)

First of all this movie is wonderful. Funny, dramatic and enthralling. the main reason this movie is criticized is that, in people's opinion, it turns concentration camps into "playgrounds" or "tries to turn the holocaust into a joke". this opinion is completely ridiculous. The main reason for this complaint is because our main character, Guido, attempts to make the concentration camp into a game for his son Giosue. This in no way is offensive, it shows the love for his child that he has as he tries to make this hell they are in bearable for him. in one of the final scenes, as Guido is led off with a gun to his back and he know his son sees him, he does a silly walk. why? to be rude? no. to be offensive? no! to distract is son from the gun, to protect him from the horrors surrounding him. As a Jewish American with relatives who died in the holocaust i don't find this movie in the least offensive and love its original view.
Another complaint i have seen is that "if this movie was made in America, it would have been much more criticized for being offensive." and that "they made the Nazis look like buffoons". i have one answer for this: Hogans Heroes. An American TV show that has an 8/10 (while Life is beautiful has an 8.4) rating on IMDb that was and is loved by many. the Nazis SPEAK English around American POWS. ya, this movie sure made the Nazis look dumb (sarcasm).
All in all, i loved this movie. I would recommend it for anyone, but be prepared to laugh, smile and cry in Life is Beautiful.