Oddly Irreverent

Rating: 7/10 (12 November 2014)

A Jewish man (Roberto Benigni) has a wonderful romance with the help of his humor, but must use that same quality to protect his son (Giorgio Cantarini) in a Nazi death camp.
Roger Ebert wrote, "At Cannes, it offended some left-wing critics with its use of humor in connection with the Holocaust. What may be most offensive to both wings is its sidestepping of politics in favor of simple human ingenuity. The film finds the right notes to negotiate its delicate subject matter." Indeed, this is he most striking thing about this film (from its opening mocking the arm-outstretched salute), just how much it refuses to take anything seriously.
In that respect, it is a response to "Schindler's List", even if not intended to be. Sometimes in the face of evil, you just have to laugh, and Benigni takes that approach.