A Bittersweet Holocaust Story

Rating: 10/10 (8 May 2012)

Most Holocaust movies that I have seen were very graphic, very tragic survival stories. Life Is Beautiful is a Holocaust story that has a little twist in it's story telling. It is a movie that seems to add a human drama or feeling while also focusing on the horrors within.
First, understand that the story is fictional but the atrocities and crimes of the Holocaust are very real. It is the story of Guido, a middle class Italian Jew who meets a upper class Chistian woman named Dora in Tuscony Italy. Dora,a somewhat shy but well bred woman with a streak of stubbornness falls for the clownish charms of easy going, Guido. Even though Guido knows that he may never marry Dora due to his social and possibly Jewish status, he takes every ample opportunity to see her. Finally, despite the thought of being shunned by society and Dora's family, Guido and Dora run away together in grand style. They end up married and with a beautiful son named Joshua and a happy life. But alas, storm clouds keep following them in the form of Dora's scorned and rejected old suitor assisted by Dora's family and a society now fueled by World War II with hatred toward the Jews. Guido, his uncle, and little Joshua are sent to a Concentration camp followed by faithful, loyal Dora who commits herself to share their fate. Guido is concerned over his son's survival in the camp and devises a bizarre but unique plan. From then on each day, is a quest for survival for Guido and his family. Will they survive? One thing you notice in the film is the sheer beauty of the settings and surroundings. The countryside and town are absolutely picturesque and striking, the food,flowers, the richness of the hotel just show the viewer a life that full of beauty that we tend to take for granted. I think this is done to show the viewer the beauty that is witnessed in life. Each day is a lovely sunny day full of adventure until the ugliness of racial hatred, and jealousy can mar it, we should appreciate all things in life even the finer things.
One other thing to note in the film for musical soundtrack buffs, is that the soundtrack from Life is Beautiful is one of the most beautifully written scores. I urge all soundtrack collectors to add it to their resumes.