Rating: 
Summary: A celebration of the human spirit!
Review: This Italian movie is an extraordinarily powerful film that will haunt me for a long time. Its about life. Its about love. Its about the holocaust.The story opens in 1939 and the first half is a rollicking comedy of how Guido (played brilliantly by Robert Bernigni) woos and wins his wife. He is a natural clown and his gift is quick thinking, fantastic timing, and outrageous acts. He's lovable and optimistic and full of energy and life. However, he is Jewish at a time when Jews are being sent to death camps and he and his 5 year old son are rounded up. His wife insists on following and she is sent to the women's part of the camp. Guido wants to protect his son from the horrors of the camp and so, in his special inventive way, he spontaneously makes up elaborate inventive stories that are masterpieces of creativity. The audience smiles through their tears as again and again Guido saves his son and gets messages of hope through to his wife, using his gift for comedy and natural joy for life in spite of the most gruesome of conditions. I laughed, I cried and sat at the edge of my seat as I watched this video which is a celebration of the human spirit in the worst kind of circumstances. The acting is fantastic, the direction great and the plot moves with the speed of light bringing the audience though an emotional roller coaster. This is a serious film with an important theme and is extremely painful film to watch. However, I have nothing but the highest praise for the filmmakers who dared to bring this epic tale of love and the human spirit to the screen. The rewards of being willing to experience this video is a deepened appreciation for life and a unique prism through which to view the world. Highly recommended for those who can bare it.
Rating: 
Summary: Dont say you dont like it!!
Review: For the film critic from Canada, I find it interesting that you posted a review saying you loved this movie yet you discouraged someone with a different opinion from posting his review. What, is everyone's opinion supposed to be the same as yours? How boring! I agree that Roberto was begging for laughs, and begging to be loved. The whole first half of this movie was bizarre slapstick. Then it segued into a serious drama that to me was incredibly unconvincing. One can argue that this is a fantasy, but I believe the Holocaust deserves a more accurate portrait. The concentration camp reminded me of something built on a Hollywood backlot. I did find the ending to be surprising and effective, but what came before was merely average. For real humor (though dark), and an intense depiction of the horrors of the Holocaust, I would recommend Schindler's List. Life is Beautiful was just too cloying and scattered.
Rating:
Summary: AMAZING!!!!
Review: This is by far the best film I have ever seen in my entire life! Can't really say much more than that but it has inspired me to learn Italian just so that I can watch it without the subtitles. No film will ever come close to this!
Rating: 
Summary: It Was More Than Just a Game
Review: "We won!" Those are the words that many Jewish survivors exclaimed at the end of one of the most horrendous acts of history, the holocaust. People were taken from their homes to live in camps that punished them for following a certain religion. Families were separated, lives were taken, and this horrific atrocity left an appalling impression on those survivors. The Italian masterpiece, Life is Beautiful, captivates the contemporary generation with a vivid picture of the holocaust. While the event is tragic, the movie's tale contains a touch of humor from the view of a terrified father who sacrifices everything in order to save his young son's life. As time has progressed, the generations have forgotten the events that transpired in the past. Most schools do not extensively touch upon the tragedy and the hardships that the Jews overcame through the holocaust. I never understood what really happened, and the damage it caused over the entire world. By watching this movie, I was able to see the affect it had on someone who experienced the torture. Roberto Benigni plays Guido, a Jewish waiter who marries the woman of his dreams, Dora. They fall madly in love and have a son who is their most precious possession. The family becomes separated when they are taken to a concentration camp in Italy. The story had such an impact on me, that now i understand completely how parents could sacrifice everything to save the one's they love. Guido lies to his son, Joshua, about the holocaust because he wants to protect him from the emotional baggage that stemmed from being in the concentration camp. He tells his son that the holocaust is all a big game, which makes the movie have a humorous touch to it. The person who attains one thousand points will be the winner and receive a huge reward, a real tank. This is what Joshua is striving for throughout the entire holocaust, while his father is risking his own life in order to keep his son from discovering the truth. This movie shows how much a child means to a parent. During the holocaust, children were put into gas chambers, and the parents had to live with the sorrow of their death. I can understand why a father would do everything in his power to give his child protection, reassurance, and strength. Even though there is a humoristic side, the movie also portrays the tragic side of the event. It is hard to watch a family be torn apart and live each day wondering if each member is still alive. The Jews are stripped of their privacy and rights to live a healthy and normal life. They are forced to do extensive work with little to eat, and if they refuse, death is the only option. It was horrendous to watch everyone be treated so violently and without compassion. Family loyalty, trying to remain happy, and losing hope were all aspects of the holocaust. Life is Beautiful wraps all of those things into one film that intrigues the contemporary generation. It does no just inform the audience of the historical accuracy but also gives a personal experience of a family struggling to survive the holocaust. I never knew how tragic this experience was, but now after witnessing it in the film, I will never forget the emotion and the trauma, which it caused in so many peoples' lives. Through his father's loving deceit, Joshua does not have to face the harsh reality of the constant struggle for religious freedom that plagued the Jewish community. Guido shows how the strength of family can overcome the prejudices of society. Even though the Jews endured numerous hardships and obstacles, the victims of the holocaust can now truly say, "We won!"
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic! Oh, and here's a little tip for the buyer....
Review: This movie is Excellent (That's right... with a capital "E"). However, before I start praising this movie, may I send the shoppers my strong recommendation.... If you're going to buy this movie, buy the Italian version with English SUBTITLES. This way, you'll be able to enjoy the true talents of Roberto Benigni and the rest of the All-Star Italian cast. THE ENGLISH DUBBED VOICES ARE NOWHERE NEAR AS GOOD. It may be hard for some to get used to the subtitles and reading and listening to Italian while at the same time trying to follow the movie visually, but that's only for the first 15 minutes of the movie. After that, you'll be so used to them, sometimes the chracters will seem to be speaking English (Well figuratively speaking anyway). With that out of the way, ... The movie itself comes highly recommended for a good laugh and/or cry. Why this film wasn't the winner of "Best Picture" is beyond my comprehension. The story, the script and the humorous and outstanding acting make this movie a must-see to anyone. But you don't have to take my word for it. Buy this movie (Remember... the subtitled version) with full speed.
Rating:
Summary: Possibly the greatest film ever produced
Review: How many movies do you remember that made you laugh for full minutes. Quite a few. How many do you know that bring numerous tears rolling down your cheecks? I know of two. How many do that not just at the climax but throughout the movie? How many of include a believable, but still fairy-tale like story of true-love? And how many movies can you recolect that bring all of these elements together into one incredible mosaic. These elements all swirl together, but not so that the various mood swings come as a shock, nor do these emotions switch at such a rate that anyone could miss something. Some say the first story line is too fairy-tale like, and unbelievable. Ridiculous. There are no magic wands, no fairy god mothers. All of it happens because one man is willing to take a chance and try to win the girl of his dreams. Same thing happens every day, anyone who can't accept that, I pity you. Yes, this is a comedy about the holocaust. If someone had told me that before I had seen it, I would have cast this film aside, never to view it. But they actually pulled it off. Benigni mixes in fear, hope and humor at the perfect times, thus creating a fresh, yet still powerful and memorable representaion of the holocaust. Thirty times better than "Titanic", I don't see how it didn't get Best Picture in 1998. All in all, my favorite movie of all time, one I shall never forget.
Rating:
Summary: BUON GIORNO PRINCIPESSA
Review: Okay there are moments when this film is too fairy-tale like, and even when the circumstances are their worst, there are too many flukes and comic moments, but you will still fall in love with the story and probably feel incredibly emotional about the ending. Roberto Benigni won the best actor Oscar and best foreign film Oscar several years ago for this love story turned semi-tragic. Set during World War II, Benigni and his family are sent to a concentration camp. No need to probe the details of that. It is obvious what happens then. What is unique, though, is how Benigni manages to comfort his child and keep him from being scared by convincing him that the whole camp is a game. It can be a very warm and even hilarious film at times, but ultimately the end is not happy. You will feel enlightened, though, after seeing it. Despite its tragedy, it is quite uplifting.
Rating:
Summary: Simply, the best movie ever made!
Review: I don't care to be long-winded in this review. Suffice it to say that a movie surrounding the events of the German atrocities of World War II that can make you feel good has got to have something going for it! I will never feel about a movie, the way I feel when I watch this movie!
Rating:
Summary: Most inspiring movie ever produced
Review: Please do not let the english subtitles stear you away from this movie. After 10 minutes you are 100% used to reading them and for good purpose too. This movie is so inspirational and such a different slant of the whole holocaust era. Alone, with a friend, with your family - there is no instance where this movie wouldn't fit to be viewed. Bravo Roberto!!
Rating:
Summary: What Kind Of Person Hates This Movie?
Review: I first want to say that I hope you find this review helpful, I want to say first that Chad needs to learn about GOOD Movies and Bad movies and giving this movie 1 star is just annoying. No way pal, if you hate this than don't post it. This is a beautiful portrait of a man who loves his family and doesn't want his child to live in horror. Nicoletta Braschi is amazingly beautiful in this movie and Roberto Benigni was just magnificent as Guido in this movie. He steals every scene with his comic acting I am also amazed by Mr. Benigni's skillful writing and sensitivity towards this issue. I want to say the score is magnificently beautifully done by Nicola Piovani. I hope that if anyone gets a film on Video and DVD it will be Life Is Beautiful. It is funny, sad, touching, romantic and everything in it. Watch for the many times he bumps into Nicoletta Braschi in this movie. That's all I have to say for now. I hope you will rent this.
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