comic romance and touching love

Rating: 9/10 (26 January 2005)

i guess you would never think about one film combining two totally different style stories into one film so perfectly: comic loving story and tragic but optimistic concentration camp life.
the loving story starts from Dora falling from the sky and finishes by taking Guido's "green" ride. all this first half is delightful and Guido's humor makes you laugh loudly. then it turns to the other half by Giosue's grandmother show-up. the three-member family was put in concentration camp due to Jewish. Guido demonstrates pretty well his love for Giosue, making up the concentration as a game. he doesn't forget to encourage Dora by playing the music. tragic concentration just can't keep up away Guido's love for his son and wife. the love will be Giosue's treasure all though his life, and i think even touch every child.
i would say this film not only tells a moving story about a man but also about a brave woman, who would leave her engaged for true love, even against family wishes. that's why Giosue doesn't know his grandmother until the bookstore scene. she would rather be with her family in concentration camp than living alone safely outside it would be totally perfect if only the comic elements could be involved with more realistic events.
after all, i give it 9/10 and strongly recommend this movie to you, man and woman