Accomplishes the Supernatural

Rating: 10/10 (28 April 1999)

A fable, according to Webster, is "a legendary story of supernatural happenings" ... "intended to enforce a useful truth". This movie certainly has both of these elements and is now on my list of favorite films and is destined to become a classic.
I do not think Benigni used the Holocaust 'as a convenient backdrop' as someone suggested he may have. To me, he used the century's most horrific crime against humanity as a way of demonstrating just how far a father will go to protect his son's life and his childhood innocence... in the face of total desperation. The game playing between father and son was Guido's only hope of keeping his beloved son hidden and quiet. It took a loving father's quick wit to devise such a ridiculous, yet effective, plan of tomfoolery ... his only weapon to combat such unthinkable human tragedy. Let's face it ... fighting back against the Nazi regime would have meant certain death to him and his son (however, this would not have stopped Hollywood from choosing this plotline ... and I'm sure it would have starred Arnold Schwarzenegger).
Another point ...Benigni treats the holocaust portion of the film with the utmost care and respect. The comedy and the game playing took place between a father and his son, as a matter of survival.
I also interpreted Guido's love of his son, as an expression, and natural extension, of the love that he had for his wife ... his 'Principessa', whom he adored. He did what he had to do to save 'her' son and maybe his own sanity and he did it the only way he knew - making his child laugh and play a game. After all, this horror couldn't be real, could it? It must be a game! And in the end, we find that Guido triumphs. Can you remember the joy in the very last scene of the film? Guido actually does accomplish the supernatural.
God bless foreign films.