The Most Optimistic Movie of All Time

Rating: 10/10 (17 February 2002)

On the Valentine Day I had decided firmly to watch this movie and I realized that nothing could prepare me for what I was about to experience even though I knew beforehand that this Roberto Benigni's magnificent creation which was held high by the critics was nominated for the Best Picture along with the much expected and truly great Saving Private Ryan.(The fact that neither of them won as the Best Picture is as disappointing as the fact that Denzel Washington didn't win the Best Leading Actor at the 72nd Academy Awards.Also Raging Bull should have undoubtedly won at 53rd Academy Awards as the Best Picture along with the Best Director.But then this are my PERSONAL opinions and are hinted at NO ONE in particular.) As far this movie is concerned Roberto Benigni has done a great job as the director and as well as an actor. This is the movie where we find out that under circumstance of crisis an ordinary being like Orifice can get transformed into a Godly being in order to protect his loved ones.(Here, the wife and the son.) Its in this movie that one learns the importance of will power.(Remember the 'hat-exchange' scene? Or the 'dog near the box' scene? Or the scene in which a real,true tank arrives which the son considers to be his first prize?) This is the movie where one learns that its us who should be in control of our emotions and not vice versa.(Remember the scene where Orifice is carried away for execution? Watch his facial expressions and the way he walks in order to mask his sadness and fear in front of his son.) Its in this movie that one learns the great principle of OPTIMISM.(Remember all the scenes where Orifice keeps telling his son that they are playing a game where they have to score bonus marks and if he expresses even his desire for food(hunger) there will be substraction of marks?They were actually suffering extreme conditions in the concentration camp for being a Jew.) Even though I usually don't prefer to give ranks to my Personal choice of 25 Movies of All Time, this is an exception and this movie gets the Rank One. Even ahead of Crimson Tide(1995),Terminator 2:Judgment Day(1991),Se7en(1995), Kramer Vs Kramer(1979)and Usual Suspects,The(1995).
Truly the Best.
(had won the golden statuette for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards)