And so is the movie

Rating: Null/10 (16 June 2001)

Life Is Beautiful
When I first heard of this film's concept, comedy against the backdrop of a Nazi concentration camp, I thought it was brilliant. Upon seeing the movie I discovered that my initial impression was right. Roberto Benigni has achieved a true masterpiece with this work, which will be remembered years from now for its greatness.

Benigni's character is so endearing that he is able to make the contrived slapstick and serendipity that pervades the first half of the film consistently amusing. It is only in the darkness of the concentration camp that we truly understand the necessity of establishing his comic character. Threaded within this comic/horrific juxtaposition are scenes of emotional power: his gentile wife's demand to get on the train with her Jewish husband and son, the dashing of hope over the realization that the potentially life-saving doctor is insane, Benigni's character's interpretation of the German guard's instructions all are indelible. And finally the part where Guido (Benigni) walks to certain death as his son watches, still believing that they are playing a game for a prize and totally unaware of the evil surrounding him, is a vignette that is rivaled by few in film history.

Ultimately, in the throes of inhumanity the potential of humanity shines. As the older son narrates at the conclusion this was his father's gift to him, as this film is a gift to the rest of us.

BTW, a good film to watch on Father's Day, though it presents high expectations.