An Exceptional Film!

Rating: 8/10 (16 May 2005)

"Life is Beautiful" is an immensely emotive film, and I can understand that some people will not be comfortable viewing what may be considered, lighthearted dialogue, set in the context of the holocaust.
The film begins with a slapstick comic theme, which I considered slightly overpowering. However, as the film develops, the humour is essential. Steven Spielberg said that he made "Schindlers List" as if it were being viewed through a tiny hole, any larger and it would have been too much for the audience. In my opinion, Benigni uses the humour to a similar effect. However the humour is not the main theme.
Love is the main theme. Love of your family, and especially for the fatherly love of a small innocent boy caught up in this terrible tragedy. The compassion I felt for Guido's son was almost overpowering, yet this was contrasted by moments of subtle humour. I would never have thought that I would laugh out load whilst viewing a concentrating camp scene, yet the comedy worked despite my attempts to hold my laughter back. To some, this may appear wrong, yet the humour is very powerful. It shines through the horror to show hope through the innocence and beauty of a young child.
Some of the film is implausible, but this should not be a reason to deny its brilliance. It taps into the emotions, especially in the latter stages of the film, which left me emotionally drained. "Life is Beautiful" allows us to appreciate our humanity; I cannot give this film higher praise.