Rating: 
Summary: A Wonderful and Uplifting Story
Review: "Life is Beautiful" is a pleasant return to movies that express emotion well. This story isn't quite your average WWII hideout plot, though.In this movie, Roberto Benigni, who plays a funny, romantic father and husband, must cope with the effects of World War II, which has changed his life forever. The movie, however, does not start out darkly- it begins with Benigni romantically persuing a beautiful and kind woman, whom he has fallen in love with. Benigni is very funny, and does wonders with this role. His character uses wit and humor to gain the affection of his object of affection, played by Nicoletta Braschi. Soon they start a family: the two of them, with their young, innocent son. This is where things take a turn for the worse. The War begins, and Benigni and his son are sent off to a Nazi prison camp, where Jews and other people are being enslaved and killed. Faced with having to explain this to his son, he turns the entire situation into a pretend game, so as not to frighten his son. From here things worsen- but throughout it all, Benigni tries to keep his son happy, refusing to give up on life. This movie, while very tragic, is also uplifting. It give us a better sense of the value of life when we watch it, and it amuses us at the same time. If you enjoy movies that are funny, romantic, and uplifting, this one is definitely for you.
Rating: 
Summary: I didn't want to see this film!
Review: I hadn't heard of this film before I saw it (okay, I know I was in a minority of one but I'd been abroad!). When a friend suggested that we see a movie, I wanted to see Schwarzenegger in "End of Days", but my friends wife had already bought tickets to see "Life is Beautiful" (LIB). When I asked what it was about, I was told something like "It's an Italian Black and White movie, with English subtitles, about a Jewish man in a concentration camp". I can't begin to tell you how much I DIDN'T want to see this film. Two hours later, I emerged from the cinema with a warm glow, having been put through a gamut of emotions, thanking my lucky stars that my friend had got to the kiosk ahead of me. LIB is an odd film; how on earth can you marry a subject that evokes such compassion and outrage as the holocaust with what is essentially a comedic love story? But LIB comes through in spades. The film is basically divided into two acts. The first introduces the hero as an eccentric, jocular guy, out to enjoy the life God has given him in every way, and the escapades that lead him to meet and marry his future wife. The comedy here owes much to the visual, vaudeville style and works superbly well, given that scripted jokes sometimes fail horribly when translated into another language. The second act is understandably very much darker, when our hero, son and ultimately wife are arrested for no apparent reason other than being alive. Even here, however, Roberto Benigni manages to introduce humour (notably the "Instructions" scene, when he 'translates' the Camps Rules and Regulations, as announced by the Camp Guard in German, into Italian for the benefit of his son, despite not speaking a word of German) albeit above a veneer of desperation. It is reasonably hard to depict the depth of love a parent has for their child (and spouse), but LIB comes as close as I've ever seen on film. Without giving TOO much away, Benigni chose wisely with his ending; it would have been all too easy to give us a traditionally happy ending. For me, the conclusion was STILL a happy ending - the hero achieved what he had set out to achieve, and is rightly called a Hero. As far as the subtitles are concerned, you really won't notice them after the first ten minutes, and this comes from somebody who LOATHES subtitles. Possibly, the DVD version loses something from the sheer scale of the cinema release, but then so does every other film. This is a film that I would NEVER have CHOSEN to watch - the film simply didn't sound like a fun way to spend two hours; I wanted to watch Schwarzenegger rip a few bad guys apart. Having spent two hours entranced by it, I'm sorry Arnie, but LIB just blows you out of the water!
Rating:
Summary: Words to previous reviewers!
Review: I own and have watched this movie many times. I came on here to look at some peoples views and comments about Life Is Beautiful. I was troubled a with couple reviews. The movie is terrific, about an hour into it (after seeing it already and knowing what comes next) my heart always seems troubled. The movie is going along so happily, and the joy on Roberto and Nicoletta's (what a beautiful name) faces excite you. And then the plot thickens to the end. Even during the troubling (I guess you can say sad parts) of the movie you still feel good for some reason. There are no words to encourage someone to see this movie, you just simply should. There is a pretty good reason this movie won so many international awards (I want to say 60+, but it could be 30). Watch this movie in peace and pay attention (to the color, screenplay...well everything). Just pay attention. I found the movie very creative. It is unlike other movies dealing with this topic in that it is very non-violent, and more about a man trying to protect and live life with his family as it was and much more. Now for the comments I have about other peoples comments... First, I would recommend (if you are going to buy it) buying a DVD player, and purchasing this on DVD. Second, WATCH THIS MOVIE IN ITALIAN with subtitles. Do NOT watch this dubbed! You will never get the true feeling Roberto and the others (well especially Roberto) throw at you. I guess you can compare it to Listening to your 12 year old son/daughter play Beethoven, instead of Beethoven playing Beethoven! Get my point? After that if you must, watch it again in the "boring" dubbed version. But it will truly not be the same. Your eyes get used to reading and watching the movie at the same time. I have seen the movie plenty of times, and I really think I am learning Italian because of the joy of the real voices in the movie. If you watch the subtitled version, it just feels real...and you can almost know what they are saying without reading...I think that is just your EYES ADJUSTING! So please, for your sake, watch the movie in Italian with subtitles and not dubbed. I hope you enjoy a wonderful movie. Roberto is truly a great and kind man, society could learn a lot from people like him. BONJOURNO PRESHA-PRISHA! ...(I know I cant spell it, but you get the drift) :)
Rating:
Summary: beautiful
Review: A beautifully told story of an Italian Jewish man who is taken to a concentration camp with his son and wife. While there he tries to make his son's and his wife's life better. A powerful and moving story of love and devotion. Roberto Begnini plays the part wonderfully, and deserved the Academy Awards he won for the movie.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: I thought this was one of the best movies ever! Definelty a "top ten" choice of mine. I saw it twice in the theatre and now own it. This movie is totally entertaining from the beginning to end. A must see-must own movie!
Rating:
Summary: The Best Film since Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life"
Review: Wow. This film not only managed to amaze me and make me laugh as it sucked me into the story, but it made me cry, which is unusual for me when I watch a movie. I congratulate Mr. B. on his amazing talent that he put to good use on this superb film. After the film was over I just sat in deep thought. It really made me appreciate the gifts of life and LOVE and family which God has given to all. Benissimo Lavore, Alberto! I have not seen a more wholesome and heartwarming, fun yet thought provoking, exhilirating yet also deeply anguish filled movie since the classic "It's a Wonderful Life" Both of these films are a tribute to the human spirit and the effect we can have for good on those around us.
Rating:
Summary: Emotional
Review: An excellent movie. There is never a dull moment. It stirs up emotions of happiness and sadness. A delightful movie worth watching at least once.
Rating:
Summary: Best movie made within the last 5 years
Review: This movie will become a classic. Some people find this movie not so entertaining. I don't think the point of the movie is to entertain, even though it does a great job of that. Rather, I see it as a beautiful story of love. And yes, it is truly genius how Benigni could make this movie so funny and happy while still paying tribute to the memory of those that suffered at the hands of the Nazis. And unless you don't like to read, get the subtitled version and hear the Italian. Also, if you know German, there's a lot of spoken German in this movie too which isn't even subtitled, so you'll be able to tell what the Germans are saying. Anyway, this movie made me a big fan. I'm in love with this movie.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful, non-explotative film!
Review: Since American Beauty hasn't been released to home video at the time of this review, I thought I might mention it as a means to review Life is Beautiful. You see, in this film, Roberto Begninni walks that fine line between the exploitation of a tragedy (the Holocaust), and making a comedic, touching movie. This is something that movies like American Beauty,Forrest Gump, and Primary Colors, failed to do. They all took human tragedies and tried to be clever with them (patricide,mental & physical disabilities and corruption respectively),unsuccessfully. Life is Beautiful takes as important a subject, if not more so, and makes an incredibly entertaining, and never demeaning film. The way that the father protects his son from not only the German hostilities, but the mental anguish of the holocaust by creating a game is a stroke of genius! It is also a touching story of true love that cannot be separated, and a friends betrayal. Is there a sadder moment in cinema than when Begninni is approached by an old friend, now a German officer, who thinks is about to help his family escape the concentration camp in whic they are imprisoned, but instead only wants answers to a puzzle? (long stroy, rent the film!)Even the climax, when the Americans liberate the camp and Begninni's character is killed, you never see his death, you only hear the shot! Beautiful! A great film and deserving of all of its Oscar nominations!
Rating: 
Summary: Are Oscars Given Out By Amoeba
Review: Sorry everyone but I thought this was a real turkey shoot. The humour was contrived, hammy & very lame. I guess my major reason for disliking this film was as a consequence of Benigni being both the egotistical director & star. He certainly gave himself centre stage. While his screen & real life wife was obsequiously adoring & dippy, & his screen son was just a mail-order doll for pathos. Roberto was a totally foolish character, who was unable to raise any empathy with me. We don't actually get to see who shoots Roberto - but I would be more than happy to admit to pulling the trigger. The fact that this farce was set during the infamous holocaust was not a problem for me - but clearly offensive to some people. I suspect that people who cried during this film, would also have cried during "Pretty Woman". As both films make a fairytale out of a harsh reality.
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