Stunningly beautiful and tragically sad

Rating: 9/10 (29 November 2007)

As an Italian, it's somewhat shameful that I haven't seen this yet. But we're watching it in History, and it's beauty has caught me.
We're watching it in 35-40 minute segments (as with the classes), and it's split almost exactly between the two realities of the world: pre Holocaust and during the Holocaust.
I couldn't wait, so I bought the film this morning and watched it; fantastic. Absolutely brilliant. Benigni is great - constantly loud, but that's with the character. Very absorbing performance. Giorgio Cantarini's talent progressed along with the film, but his face was very captivating. Braschi didn't have a lot of emotion to give, but that may have been the character. But very good anyway. The best thing about this was the writing - genuinely fantastic. The progression was great, the speeches brilliant, the comedy acute and well timed in the narrative.
GREAT film. Highly recommended.