Il Postino

Rating:
Summary: The film that broke my heart.....
Review: I will never forget this beautiful, warmly humorous, sensuous and, ultimately, tragic cinematic masterpiece. "Il Postino" was my first introduction to Pablo Neruda, the poet who changed my life and first inspired my lifelong love of writing poetry. Though, I was an avid poet before, I owe a great thank you to the spirit of Pablo Neruda for bringing inspiration to my voice as a writer.

For starters, this film was masterfully directed, the cast couldn't be better, and it is definitely a great cross-over film that can be enjoyed by men, women, young people, old people, and even children. (Personally, I don't think anyone younger than thirteen should see this film.) It was, in fact, based on a novel of the same name (I much prefer the film to the novel, though---personal opinion.) . Mario Ruopollo (played by the late, great Massimo Troisi--who died twelve hours after the film was completed, is a fourty-year old postman in a sleepy fishing town in Italy. The shy man's life is centered around his job of delivering mail, until a chance encounter with the legendary, exiled Chilean poet , Pablo Neruda (Philip Noiret), changes his life forever. He finds himself learning about poetry what a metaphor ("metafore" in Italian) is. Of course, the learning curve is, at first, quite steep. Neruda asks Mario what he thinks of when he pictures the sea, and he says, "I feel seasick." Poetry takes front and center stage when Mario finds himself falling for Beatrice Russo (Maria Grazia Cucinotta), the most beautiful woman on the island. This is when the "Cyrano De Bergerac" element of the story begins, and Neruda becomes the written voice for Mario to win Beatrice's heart.

This film stirred me so much when I first saw it. I laughed, I pondered and I finally burst into tears. You will have to see it for yourself to understand the power of this film. I guarantee you will probably be looking up "Pablo Neruda" in a key word search when the film is long over. What a wonderful way to honor the man, his great body of work and how poetry touches the heart and soul.



Rating:
Summary: Don't miss the late great Massimo.
Review: Yet another of my very favorite films, and another in which literature plays an important part. Massimo Troisi plays Mario, a timid man who simply exists day to day without much hope or imagination. He lives in an idyllic Italian fishing village, where he pines for the lovely Beatrice. Enter the exiled Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, who's tutelage in poetry and the art of seduction inspire Mario to persue his dreams. A subtle, though brilliant jewel of a film, understated and yet wonderfully articulated. Troisi gives a heartbreakingly true performance, while Philippe Noiret (a giant star of international cinema) is both charming and eloquent as Neruda. Add to this a haunting score by Luis Bacalov and the unwavering beauty of the Italian seascape, and you have a nearly perfect romatic comedy.

Rating:
Summary: Touching and Beautiful
Review: This is one of my most favorite movies, one that I will love to watch for years to come. Il Postino is an amazing movie that touches on the life of a dreamer, a young postman who meets the amazing Chilean poet Pablo Neruda while he is in exile. The two share the most unsual relationship, which blossoms into a friendship before the poet is allowed to return to his native country. The characters in the movie are heartfelt and the storyline is very well written. Ths movie introduced me to the amazing poetry of Neruda, who now is the most celebrated poet in my current library. For those who do not mind subtitles, this movie is a must for those who love heartwarming stories. I also recommend the soundtrack to the movie which has celebrities sub as Sting, Glen Close and Madonna reading Neruda's poems.

Rating:
Summary: A joy to watch.
Review: Great movie. I saw this movie 9 years ago and I had to buy the DVD. Thats how much of an impression it left on me. Its about love, poetry, politics.....its just a great movie.