Clinically witty but beautifully sad

Rating: 10/10 (23 October 1998)

Magic! Yet another example of small European cinemas making pure quality entertainment. This film, full to the brim with wit and satire shows the beauty of life and the horror that is war. As the film goes on, you go from laughter to tears, amazement to horror. This simple tale of an Italian-Jewish family caught in the horror of the holocaust is centred around the relationship between a man and his wife and son. The script is full of great lines which make you laugh when you'd rather cry. In all it's a tale of hope and of love and the thwarted desire to live a simple life. The cinematography is brilliant and the plot extraordinary. A must see!!! Throughly worth the money