When somebody first suggested that I see Life is Beautiful , I was skeptical. The very idea sounded offensive. The film's accolades, though, multiplied, until I felt compelled to go see for myself. Nevertheless, by the time we emerged from the bowels of Crossroads that evening, Toni and I were adding our voices to the chorus praising Life is Beautiful . Still, more thought was required before I realized what was so compelling about this most unusual film.
Life is Beautiful begins as a comedy, almost a farce.
The hero is a charming buffoon, a Jerry Lewis-type character. Otherwise, there is nothing serious about him. We know that he is Jewish, but only because his uncle is the victim of anti-semitic activity. Our hero makes a joke of this fascist hooliganism, emblematic of his treatment of every other aspect of his life. Nothing really bothers him.