Life Is Beautiful

Rating:
Summary: La Vita E Bella
Review: I congratulate Roberto Benigni for creating this movie. In "Life is Beautiful", Benigni is teaching us a lesson about the Holocaust and life. Granted Benigni's story is told in a different manner than other Holocaust films like "Schindler's List". His style is rather light hearted, and I think some are offended to see such a serious matter portrayed as such. But the lesson learned and the emotions you feel by the end of this movie are profound, and in no way take away from the seriousness of the Holocaust.

A final note, I personally think the Italian version is more authentic, as that is the native language of the actors.

Rating:
Summary: LIFE IS...SAY WHAT?!
Review: I hate this movie! Absolutely hate it! I'm sorry, but I can find absolutely nothing funny about life in World War II concentration camps or especially about the Holocaust. Nothing! To attempt to make light of such subjects insults the very memory of all who suffered so greatly.

The movie as it stands is sappy and predictable and intelligent viewers will see right through it, it's cast and it's goal as a pathetic tear-jerker.

THE HORSEMAN

Rating:
Summary: You will definitely feel this.
Review: My son in college recommended this movie to me, as he watched it for his humanities class. "You'll love it, Mom", he said. And love it I did, although this movie left me sobbing for quite a while at the end. I was afraid at first that it was moving too fast and I wouldn't be able to keep up with the captions...those Italians talk so darn fast! The main character in the story is so clever, smart and funny that you have to love him. The little boy is the picture of innocence, and you will fall in love with this little fellow. The story itself is a true original. This has to be the most poignant movie I have ever seen. I don't think my heart could take a second viewing of it. A beautiful tale of love and survival, and the preservation of childhood innocence in a time of horrible realities.

Rating:
Summary: Rivals Schindler's List
Review: The style used by Roberto Benigni is NOT what most USA movie watchers are used to experiencing and it therefore is lost on a few that just don't 'get it'. Gladly, reading other reviews here, I see that many others did understand so I guess there is still some hope for us all.

This is NOT a comedy! The comedy is merely a device in the main character's personality. He is a like-able, totally open, free spirited clown of sorts and I believe that the purpose of using a character like that is simply to disarm the audience; you simply cannot have any malice toward this man. That is where this film is far different than a movie like Schindler's list where you get to know the mind of Schindler but learn very little about the real personalities and thoughts of those he saves.

So, watch this movie and BE disarmed. 99% of this movie is a painting in progress; you just have to let go and wait while it is being painted before your eyes right up until the last few minutes of the film where Benigni finally reveals his intended message. With his painting now completed before you, be prepared three rapid fire emotional blows to your brain. The last and greatest one being only a few spoken words to reveal something that ought to leave you balling like a baby. If not - watch AND LISTEN to it again..

Rating:
Summary: Simply Astounding
Review: This movie has a very simple message and you read it in the title Life is Beautiful taking place during the holocaust in Italy no one could ever guess that this movie could be so touching and honest...Roberto Benigni who I believe won the Academy Award for his performance does the wonderful job in the role as a happy go lucky man who's whole life changes during the holocaust and it is up to Benigni to keep his family together...Another refreshing thing to see was the fact that this movie takes place in Italy during the holocaust and what is was really like for jewish families in Italy during the holocaust and very few history students know today that Italy was allies with Germany for a time...I love Benigni and enjoy watching his struggles and watching his love for his son and his wife. Why can't there be more guys like Benigi out there? The DVD features an English language track and of course English subtitles...I prefer the subtitles myself so I can get a real feel for the movie.I have been moved by this movie and you should rent or buy this movie for...by the end of this DVD you'll either be in tears or screaming life is beautiful!

Rating:
Summary: Very disappointed
Review: I debated on renting this movie for months and I finally broke down and got it after reading through all the reviews here.
It was a huge let down to say the least. This film is so over the top and unrealistic it borders on ridiculous. And like another reveiwer said, it is one coincidence after another from beginning to end. I anticipated a poignant film. I expected to cry for the characters and it was impossible to do so considering the silly antics of the lead actor which never ended during the entire film. There are no horrific or realistically sad scenes to cry over anyway. The little boy was no more convincing in his role than the lead actor and the wife was a deap pan non-entity. I can see now after viewing it why so many here are disgusted by the way it turned a horrid event into a high-drama Dick Van Dyke movie. I truly hope none of the Holocaust survivors subjected themselves to this travesty.

Btw, I gave it two stars because the scenery and photography was exceptional.

Rating:
Summary: Oh wow.
Review: Roberto Benigni and the director of Life is Beautiful managed to make a comedy out of the tragedy of the Holocaust. He's a madcap clown of a character, finding joy in everyday life, insisting on making people laugh and see the bright side. Married (to a non-Jew, who also happens to be his real-life lover) and with a young son, he and the child are sent to a concentration camp in the waning days to the war. His wife voluntarily accompanies them but of course is separated at the sorting-out that occurs upon arrival at the camp. Benigni son stays with him, and he determines to make a game of the evils that surround them to keep the boy from becoming frightened and hopeless. On a whim, he turns the whole experience into a contest to win a tank, and each day tells his little boy (whom he hides at each inspection) how much closer they are to realizing their goal.
The end is heartbreakingly predictable and yet proves the truth of the title: Life is Beautiful. This is NOT a movie to miss.

Rating:
Summary: The Triumph of the Human Spirit
Review: I loved this movie. I think this movie, more than any other movie I've ever seen, showcases the resilience of the human spirit and its ability to triumph over almost any adversity.

I've read bitter criticism of this film from those who believe that it trivialized the horrors of the Holocaust. I can't fault people for feeling the way they do and if that's what they feel, then I respect that, but I didn't see that at all.

For me, "Life is Beautiful" humanized the Holocaust like nothing else ever could. For me, Roberto Benigni and his family were real (and no doubt, there were real people like them who were sent to the camps). For me, this movie made the Holocaust seem even more important than it had been before. It showed me that wonderful, innocent people died and that others gave their lives so the people they loved could live. Of course, I know that from history books, but no history book I've ever read has packed the emotional punch of "Life is Beautiful."

Benigni's performance in this film was so perfect I can't even think of a performance that comes close. Even Adrian Brody's beautiful performance in "The Pianist" wasn't the tour de force of Benigni's. Benigni gives us a tragicomic masterpiece that I don't think can ever be equalled. To those who did not like the comedic aspects of this film, let me just say this: for some of us, and I am one, the comedic touches only served to heighten the ensuing tragedy.

The ending of this film left me so emotionally shattered that I haven't been able to watch the film again, even though I want to do so. This is a beautiful film. The script is perfect, the acting is perfect and the story is so heartbreaking in its perfection that it will live forever in my being. I will never look at the Holocaust again in the same way, i.e., as a historical event. Instead, I will think of the Holocaust as something that happened to individual human lives.

I treasure this film. It's perfection and it does show me that life, even with all of its pain and tragedy, can indeed, be beautiful.

Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece
Review: One of the best movies I've ever seen. It's almost the perfect movie. Rarely is there a work of art that can successfully blend tragedy and comedy. This one does it in spades.

Rating:
Summary: Life is Beautiful is Beautiful
Review: This film is deeply beautiful, with wonderful performances from the cast. All fathers should aspire to this level of love and devotion.