REVIEWS

"LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL"

I think it may have been as much as ten years ago when I was watching David Letterman and he introduced a man who was known as "The Funniest Man in Italy." Roberto Benigni came out and he was jumping around, being loud, being obnoxious, and being an asshole. It was obvious that David Letterman was annoyed, and even said, "this is Italy's funniest man?" Over the years since then, I saw Roberto Benigni on the cover of the videocassette for "Son of the Pink Panther," but I never saw it and didn't think much of him anyway. Years later, I hear a whole lotta buzz about this Italian comedy set in the holocaust that Roberto Benigni starred in, directed, and helped to write. That movie was called "Life is Beautiful."

I saw "Life is Beautiful" because of all the incredible things I heard about it and also because I wanted to see all the Academy Award nominees for Best Picture. All I knew about it was that it was a comedy set in the holocaust. I'm not one of these guys who hate foreign films, but I admit that it takes a few minutes to get used to the subtitles (I'd NEVER watch a dubbed movie, unless it's a Jackie Chan movie, which is a completely different kinda movie). With "Life is Beautiful," it took a little more than a few minutes for me because Roberto Benigni talks very fast making it difficult to keep up, and I read pretty fast. Still, I got past that and "Life is Beautiful" turned out to be one of the best movies I've seen in the last year.

To say that it's a comedy set in the holocaust is unfair. The movie is essentially two different movies, and the first half is almost nothing more than a romantic comedy... a GOOD romantic comedy. The second half is when things are completely different, the movie shifts tone, and it's set in the holocaust. Though there are light moments, it's not nearly as much of a comedy as the first half. Anyone who complains that "Life is Beautiful" is making light of the holocaust (and there are many who think that) completely missed the point. It's a wonderful, powerful movie about what a father does to protect his son with the only weapon he has.

"Life is Beautiful" was written by Vincenzo Cerami and Roberto Benigni, and they've written together in the past quite a few times, especially in some of the other movies Benigni directed. Benigni's co-star is Nicoletta Braschi (Benigni's real-life wife), and they've worked together in lotsa movies. I don't think that she's just some woman who Benigni married and threw in his movies. She has real talent, and a very expressive face. She was a delight to watch during the light moments, and during the moments that weren't so light, she could bring a tear to your eye. As for Roberto Benigni, his performance is excellent. He has a difficult balancing act where he must be funny and tragic, often at the same time. Giorgio Cantarini plays the son, and he's an adorable little boy who is incredibly good, despite his age.

I cried during this movie… several times. It's such an incredibly powerful movie, and Benigni deserves all the accolades he's getting. From what I've seen in interviews, Benigni still has a tendency to jump around, be loud, be obnoxious, and be an asshole, but he's certainly come a long way since that Letterman appearance.

Scale of 1-10: 10