Begnigni è Genio (Begnigni's a Genius)

Rating: 9/10 (12 December 1998)

On seeing this film, my first thought (after wiping the tears from my eyes) was "My god, he pulled it off." I can think of only one other director who's dealt with the Holocaust in a comedic film and done it with any depth, and his name was Chaplin -- and "The Great Dictator" was made before the horrors of the Final Solution were known to the world. Chaplin didn't have to deal with that baggage. Begnigni did, and did so brilliantly.
The film begins as an earthy comedy as only the Italians can do and ends as a dark tragedy with a hopeful note -- and the transition from one to the other is seamless. In fact, the latter half of the film would not work without all the meticulous set-ups of the first half. That we get to meet Begnigni's character, see his world and hopes and dreams, makes it all only more poignant as they are threatened with destruction. On top of this, the first half of the film is reminiscent of "Amaracord" (one of my favorite films) in appearance -- possibly a result of it being set in the same period, possibly intentional. (Begnigni pulls off at least one homage to "The Bicycle Thief," among other films, during the first act and a half.)
Anyway... I really debated with myself before seeing the film, thinking, "Hm. A comedy... about the Holocaust. Do I want to deal with that tonight?" I went, I saw, and the film conquered me. Fellini made me suspect that the Italians might be film geniuses... "La Vita è Bella" made me realize they are film gods...
See it. Now.