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Summary: A Film to Watch Over and Over...
Review: This film struck a deep sentimental chord in me...it has a simple plot that does hold your interest, a lush soundtrack by Morricone (remember "the Mission), and most importantly the film has an atmosphere to it which will set your mood, specially as it captures the nostalgia of life as seen through the boy who loves cinema and his friendship with his simple mentor, Alfredo...many of the scenes here are haunting in the way that life is haunting ;against the backdrop of an small Italien town, full of memorable characters ...then the boy grows and life changes...I will not say anymore except that this film trascends it's apparent topic of cinema, merely using this as a vehicle to capture life itself...the ending is beautiful, and will leave you feeling somehow more enriched, for having watched the film to begin with...
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Summary: A boy learns to appreciate the movies!
Review: This movie is a whispering tribute to film making and the public who appreciate them. The story is simple, touching and thought provoking. A small town cinema in post World War II Italy is constantly censored by the local cleargy. Any remotely romantic scenes had to be cut. Imagine the disappointment of the regular patrons who wanted 'uncensored' entertainment! The cinema's projectionist befriends a young boy who is fascinated with showing films at the theater. -- I won't give away the ending, but I promise it's a sweet surprise! -- "Cinema Paradiso" won the 1988 Best Foreign Film Oscar, and rightly so. Enjoy this Internationally acclaimed gem!
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Summary: Simple, yet brilliant
Review: The plot is simple. The way the movie flows from one instance in the boy's life to the next is very much like life itself. The director lets you see how he grows and what paths he's taken and how that affects him in later years. I truly would place this movie in the same company as a 'Casablanca' or 'The Bicycle Thief'. A movie that you won't mind watching over and over again with friends. It's been 10 years now since I first saw it and have seen it many times since. Probably the best ending to a movie that I've ever seen.
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Summary: A Cinematic Classic About Cinema
Review: A Mass-Appeal European movie about a young boy who grows up with a love of cinema, guided by a friendly father-figure who works as the projectionist for the local cinema in Sicily. If this had been made by Hollywood it would have been nominated for multiple oscars but you should not be put off by its subtitles or European setting. Very funny and moving and a fascinating study of the development of a young boy in a time which most people have never known or will ever know. Then ending is perfection itself.
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Summary: Fatherhood, Redefined
Review: Warm and kind, "Cinema Paradiso" will bring you to remember the fond times with your father, uncle or neighborhood older male friend. Though set in a old Italian village, it easily relates to the world we in the USA grow up in. It may become an unexpected favorite movie as it has for me.By no means a "buddy movie," it shows how a young boy seeks out an older man to fill the shoes of his father (deceased in a war). The man is reticent to be involved, but eventually realizes the relationship they have and is responsible to this role. The relationship is complex, and the life the boy lives is filled with various coming of age issues, mostly related to love and living out dreams. In an age in which fatherhood is too often a task rather than a desire, this movie shows how, though a father is absent, love still matters and others in the community should step up. Some scenes are very romantic (LOTS of kissing clips in a fun subplot about censorship) and might not be appropriate for younger viewers. However, nothing, I think, is so offensive that older teens couldn't watch. I fully recommend it for teens and up. Anthony Trendl
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Summary: Cinematic Friendship
Review: A delightful, emotional look at the friendship between an old town projectionist named Alfredo and the young boy he takes under his wing, Toto. Together they share a passion for the cinema and brave tragedies and disappointments. A beautifully written, performed and directed work, it is one of my favorites.
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Summary: Pelicula Inolvidable
Review: Excelente DVD, muy bien hecho, sin embargo da algunos problemas con DVDs de Thinkpad 770ED de IBM. Por otro lado la pelicula es inolvidable, no esta de mas la relacion de premios que ha ganado a nivel mundial. Alfredo y Toto estaran por siempre conmigo.
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Summary: This movie is a gem!
Review: I could boast that I am an Italian film buff. I have in my collection: Seven Beauties, Swept Away, The Monster, and Amarcord. And I recently viewed, Life is Beautiful. Cinema Paradiso is similar in intelligence and charm. It is heart warming and sad. As in all of these films, you understand and become sypathetic with the charactor.
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Summary: Its all true!
Review: yes , it is true ..one MUST see the full 155 minutes of this glorious film that works on all levels. The Episodic transitions are all here and the finale is only underscored more by the long version.Really a tribute for filmgoers everywhere and a sendoff that is touching and ironic. Forget about that "feel good" junk hollywood puts out..here this is a story and people you can care about.It is simple yet profound CP
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Summary: Best film ever made no matter the tech. quality.
Review: I have a bootleg of the original Italian release that is 155 minutes long instead of the 123 minute English version that is available. Oh...what everyone is missing....What a spectacular 30 extra minutes everyone could be loving and holding in their hearts. IF ONLY STUPID MIRIMAX WOULD PUT OUT A DIRECTOR'S CUT FOR EVERYONE ELSE! If you seek the longer better version (although both are perfect when standing alone), go to ebay.com. There are folks there who can help you get the directors cut (if you want it)plus it is in widescreen too. This review is based on my own version of the film. I'm not going to buy the DVD for another 123 minutes of what is on the VHS....Come on DVD lovers, don't you want to see what the director originally envisioned? I wish we could overwhelmingly attack the execs at Mirimax and get them to release a commercial director's cut with the extra 30 minutes instead of having to go to ebay.com and get a bootleg for a price that is phenomenal. By the way, he sees Elena again at the end. She's married and has a daughter that looks just like her when she was young and in love with Toto. But since Elena is married, her hands are tied. But she admits to never forgetting him or loving him more than anyone she has ever known. (Tears.)
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