A Tragic, Heartwarming, and Unforgettable Film

Rating: 10/10 (12 February 2018)

There are a lot of films about World War II and the Holocaust. Many of them garner acclaim and win awards and accolades. But few are as affecting or memorable as "Life Is Beautiful," Roberto Benigni's 1999 Oscar winning triumph. It creates lovable characters that are forced to bring humanity to their tragic situation and finds a way to show joy amongst the bleakest of fates.
The performances are the greatest factor to the movie's success. Roberto Benigni gives one of the great performances of film as Guido Orefice, an Italian Jew in World War II. It's a performance that stays with you long after the credits. With a subject matter as depressing as the Holocaust, it would seem impossible to provide moments of levity. But Benigni succeeds, giving us a determined and quick-witted character. For the first third or so, Guido is a simple man who comes to Arezzo, Italy. From the first scene, we see the film's joyous sense of humor, as he and his poet pal drive off the road and down a hill. They come upon a town and, while trying to gesture for the crowd to part, is mistaken for the King of Italy. Before long, Guido meets Dora (Nicoletta Braschi), a schoolteacher, and is smitten with her. As they continue to have chance meetings, Roberto as Guido pulls out his charm and amuses Dora with his wisecracks and the kind of incredible coincidences that befall them. This is a truly joyful and hilarious section and serves to undercut the grimness of later.
Several years later, Guido and his young son Giouse (played by Giorgio Cantarini) are rounded up and forced to a concentration camp. This is when Guido decides he must hide the truth from his son. He creates a story about a competition, in which his fellow prisoners are all competing to win a tank. This bond is truly beautiful, as the young Giorgio gives a wonderful performance. At times scared, funny, and youthful, he is the emotional heart of the film. And as Guido finds more ways to shield his son from his situation, we see through Roberto a loving father and a vibrant human going through the worst of humanity. As their situation begins to deteriorate, Guido must continue to entertain and inspire his son. This is where the writing is best. It's a tearjerker, but doesn't use cheap tricks. It brings real emotions from your investment in the characters and their struggle.
Funny, heartbreaking, and poignant, "Life Is Beautiful" is a movie that shows humanity in the face of inhuman cruelty and compassion in the face of brutality. It's a movie that must be seen and is impossible to forget.