Life is Beautiful Movie Review

Comedy shares the screen with tragedy in the 1997 movie Life is Beautiful directed by Roberto Benigni. This movie is set during WWII. Benigni plays the part of Guido; a Jewish-Italian waiter chasing after Dora, his principessa, played by Nicoletta Braschi. Braschi is also Benigni's real-life wife. The first half of the movie concentrates on Guido wooing Dora, who is set to marry someone else. Guido manages to make it appear as though he has divine intervention on his side. This works and Guido and Dora are married and have a son.

Fast forward a few years into the future and we see Guido and family owning and managing a bookstore, very happily. Unfortunately, the position of Jewish-Italians is dangerous at best. Eventually, Guido and his son are taken away by the Germans. Dora decides to go along even though she is not Jewish.

From the very beginning, Guido treats the whole thing as a joke. He tells his son, Giosué that they have just entered a contest to win a real life-size tank. He makes up crazy explanations for the things that are happening during their time in the concentration camp. His attempts to protect his son from the reality of their situation are heart-wrenching and very well played.

There is an almost palpable chemistry between Bernigni and Braschi in this film. The pacing and cinematography are, for the most part, excellent. Bernigni's slapstick antics are delightful and Braschi plays the part of a beautiful princess with ease and skill. This DVD can be purchased at any of the following links:

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=40120984&listingid=37937367&dcaid=17902

http://www.jr.com/product/movie/pv/_1084398V/

http://www.antonline.com/p_D17490D-GP_302115.htm

http://www.keenzo.com/showproduct.asp?M=BUENA-VISTA&ID=1509753&ref=GB

http://www.tower.com/life-is-beautiful-roberto-benigni-dvd/wapi/106982281