Kim Gentes

Possibly the Best Film Ever Made.

Remembering back to when I first saw this film, my wife and I ventured into the theatre and sat down to a little movie in English subtitles, with a very small crowd in the theatre. We didn't actually know it wasn't in english. I can truly say, that didn't matter at all. In about 10 minutes you are completely used to the subtitles, but I found I rarely needed to watch the text. Why? Because the acting in this movie says more with motion and nuance than you need to know for the scene. Roberto Benigni is absolutely perfect in this movie. And as far as the language barrier, you will be much happier to watch this with English subtitles than a translated overdubbed version. The fluidity of the language and warmth of the words in the native tongue give the film amazing authenticity and genuine character. In what will likely become his ultimate life's work, Benigni owns this film on the screen not only as the lead actor, but the director and writer as well.

The setting is holocost-stricken Europe. It follows the rise of Facism in a local community, and you see how it slowly rises to infect and destroy the real people, including Benigni's character (Guido) and his humble family. But the story of Life is Beautiful is anything but a simple trajedy. In fact, what I loved about this movie is that it injects you into somewhat of a comedic fairytale life, in which the clownish character of Guido laughs and gestures his way into the heart of a young girl, Dora (Benigni's real life wife, Nicoletta Braschi). The movie is Chaplin-esque in so many ways, which is why watching it subtitled is a true joy, because you can enjoy the movie from the pure movement and motion of this great actor, all on its own. But the story, like the lives of people in Germany's WWII Europe, takes a stark and horrible turn into the evils of Hitler's holocaust.

And while the film turns notably dark at that point, the compelling character of Guido takes an amazing turn into protection-mode for his small son, trying to shield him from the horrors of the prison camp they are sent to by using humor to keep his son floating in the joyful world of a child. It might seem disfunctional, or even offensive to think of applying humor to such a sobering subject as the Holocaust, but this movie does and amazing job of using humor as a component of hope, instead of a crass jesture to get you to chuckle. It's hard to convey the complexity and simplicity of this marvelous plot without giving it alway to you right here. Simply take my advice and watch this film. You will not be disappointed.

A few years after seeing the film, I threw a party for my wife's 40th birthday, and we rented a local theatre in the local Harkins multiplex, where her friends and family came from around the country to surprise her in the theatre (my wife thought we were going to a regular movie for her birthday, and ended up sitting with 85 people she knew, it was great!). The film I chose for the night- Life Is Beautiful. When the movie started, a number of relatives and friends groaned, as if to say "oh no, we are watching a foriegn subtitled film". They all stayed and where applauding in the conclusion. By the end of the film, most of the crowd was in shuddering amazement, some in tears. It was quite moving.

This is one film that has significant content and that you, your spouse and kids can all see, and all really learn from. Possibly the best movie ever made.