Disrespectful, Sentimental and Trite

Rating: Null/10 (28 August 2003)

Surely one of the most disrespectful movies ever made. A vanity project for Roberto Benigni and wife which happens to involve deportations to an Auschwitz where children are allowed to run and hide ! A creaky plot which for the first part of the film is devoted to the cult of Roberto Benigni as a socially inept goodhearted soul who wins the heart of his wife. Self-serving in the extreme. Maybe in Italy it was seen as a brave move for a big movie star to take on a Jewish role, but in the U.S. such choices don't even rate a comment. Benigni practically screams love me for most of the movie until the deportation. The scenes inside the concentration camp are suitably graphic but as always the focus is on Roberto. Our poor Roberto, HE is special, his love is special unlike the other millions. Ends ridiculously with Roberto calming down his son before he gets shot. So calculated for maximum Roberto and Oscar love. Have no idea why people let themselves be manipulated by this pedestrian movie. A cynical use of a horrific event to further an actor's lovable persona.