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Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, Giustino Durano, Sergio Bini Bustric, Marisa Paredes ... see more see more... , Horst Buchholz , Lidia Alfonsi , Giuliana Lojodice , Giorgio Cantarini , Pietro De Silva , Francesco Guzzo , Raffaella Lebboroni

In this WW II tragicomedy, famed Italian funnyman Roberto Benigni (The Monster) portrays Guido, who moves during the '30s from the country to a Tuscan town, where he is entranced by schoolteacher Dora... read more read more... (Nicoletta Braschi, Benigni's real-life wife). Dora likes Guido, but she remains faithful to her pompous fiancé, so Guido has an uphill struggle. Meanwhile, anti-Semitic attitudes lead to attacks against Guido's Jewish uncle (Giustino Durano). Leaping ahead to five years later, during WW II, Guido and Dora are married and have a son Giosue (Giorgio Cantarini). After they are imprisoned in a concentration camp, Guido goes to elaborate lengths to keep his son from understanding the truth of their situation. He tells the boy that they are competing with others to win an armored tank -- so everything from food shortages to tattoos is explained as necessary for participation in the contest. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

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96% liked it

218,261 ratings

Critics

80% liked it

86 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 2 min.

Directed by: Roberto Benigni

Release Date: December 20, 1997

Keywords: touching, sad, foreign, war, funny

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DVD Release Date: November 9, 1999

Stats: 18,733 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (18,733)

  • cosmo313
    December 18, 2012
    cosmo313
    I think you have to give this film credit just for having the guts to address a heavy subject like the Holocaust in the manner done here, which is predominately with a lighthearted tone. That's a big risk, but it mostly pays off here.

    Basically the movie is about a man who trie... read mores to shelter his son from the ugliness of the world. Guido has a Jewish background, and when he and his son are sent to a concentration camp, he does his best (really going to elaborate lengths at times) to keep his son from finding out the brutal truth of their situation. He mostly does this by telling him they are playing a game.

    This really could have gone badly, but it doesn't. Benigni (as actor and director) uses just the right touch to pull this delicate balancing act off. The film is admittedly rather uneven (especially when it really starts to get heavy and dark near the end), but I think the approach here is an interesting one to take when trying to educate kids about such a dark era.

    Benigni does give an excellent performance in the lead, and it's almost as memorable as his acceptance speech for when he got the Oscar for his work here. The other performances are also really good, but this is definitely Benigni's show. The film has great technical stuff, is pretty funny at times, and also very heartwarming/wrenching when necessary.

    Definitely a challenging film, and not without its flaws, but it is thought provoking, and something I highly recommend.
  • UniversalDreamer
    November 26, 2012
    UniversalDreamer
    The film's highlight is one man's battle to keep the ugliness of the world from his innocent son, no matter how ugly the world might be, and in this case that means the death camps of the Nazis. Leaning heavily on the silent film comedies of the 20's, physical comedian Benigni i... read mores achingly sincere, sometimes to the good, sometimes to the bad, nonetheless one is left with an important consideration: who's version of events are most important? He contends, like few before, that if we make our own reality, then isn't it better to be smiling?
  • paulkoh110
    August 12, 2012
    paulkoh110
    Saying perfect really sets a bar for a film. For Life is Beautiful, there truly is a perfect blend of happiness and sadness in the span of 2 hours. The story is delicate and gentle, never burdening the audience with the tragedies of WWII. A masterpiece and incredibly powerful.
  • fb1463751009
    June 30, 2012
    fb1463751009
    Really long time ago that I've seen this, but I remember the powerful ending and how impacting it was.
  • Callahan441
    June 19, 2012
    Callahan441
    I entered 'Life Is Beautiful' not really knowing what to expect, I certainly didn't anticipate a part slapstick comedy. The film charts Guido's romantic pursuit of Dora, their married life and birth of their son, and finally their removal from Italy into an extermination camp by ... read moreNazis. The initial phase of the story is quite pleasant and sometimes funny, it has numerous running gags all concerning Guido, most of which he uses spontaneously to impress and bemuse his love interest Dora.

    Guido is an affable, happy-go-lucky character, his spontaneous charm works well overall, especially in a scene where he manipulates an important guest's choice of dinner and in another where he comically translates a rather ominous looking Nazi. However, he can become exhausting, he becomes somewhat brash considering his surroundings in the latter half of the film.

    This brings me on to the depiction of the Holocaust. Guido's escapades within the camp are completely implausible and rather stupid, he sneaks around being his effervescent self whilst every adult viewer knows he would've been shot on sight within minutes in reality. The film doesn't offer hope due to the sheer implausibility of it all, all it achieves really is trivialising the Holocaust. This film is rather like the term 'Ethnic Cleansing', it doesn't work because it's impossible and perhaps insulting to try and euphemise genocide.

    I'm not sure who the film's target audience is, is it a children's film? That is the only way I could perhaps see it working, as a method of introducing a young mind to the ghastliness of the holocaust. But there is a problem with this, too, the film doesn't even begin to depict the evil and horrors of the holocaust, instead they get an unrealistic and rather maudlin tale of 'spirit' and 'hope'.
  • spielberg00
    May 19, 2012
    spielberg00
    You know when you're about to watch a film with a title like that, you have to expect something optimistic. Optimism could be all right as a perspective to use for dealing with the Holocaust. The main struggle with LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL (or La vita è bella as it is known in its origi... read morenating nation of Italy) is that it does not seem to care for taking itself seriously. What's worse, this is the case throughout the film. It's mostly fun and games in the film's first act. This entails Guido meeting his wife, falling in love with her, and eventually marrying her. Rarely is there a remark of antisemitism when the story unfolds, so we can laugh when the script doesn't want to take itself seriously. Then comes the second act, when Guido and his son go to the concentration camp. Ironically, that's where all the humor seems horrible. This humor would fit great in another, less heavy scenario, but when it's placed here, you laugh and feel like an antisemitic bigot. The script expects us to laugh during a mad party riot, where one misplaced man is frozen still in the position of a Nazi salute. It expects us to guffaw when a man tells his son that the concentration camp they are traveling to is a game, in which you win if you are the first to get to 1,000 points. It even expects us to find it cute when a man prances off camera while held at gunpoint. I'll admit, there were some genuinely heartfelt moments this film had to offer. But as they built up on some of the grief the film needed to convey, there was usually a point at which lighthearted humor ruined the impact that could have been done.

    http://themoviefreakblog.com/review-life-is-beautiful
  • fb701560354
    May 3, 2012
    fb701560354
    Roberto Bernigni is fantastic in Life is Beautiful as Guido, a father who goes to elaborate lengths to keep his son (played superbly by Giorgio Cantarini) from understanding the truth about their situation in Italy under German rule at the start of WWII. In the beginning, I coul... read mored understand that Guido was a bit of an eccentric character, and it would have worked if the film had stayed as an outrageous and hilarious comedy, but as soon as the war started, the film did a u-turn in terms of tone and genre. It's jarring, disrupts the story's flow, and even though the performances stayed consistent, that was one thing that really bugged me; Benigni's performance. That's not to say it wasn't great, because it was. His eccentricity started to annoy me once the film turned into a war drama, and I always felt that Nicoletta Braschi wasn't acting enough or something. She needed to show more emotion on her regularly blank face. Maybe I'm just being really picky.... Overall, the ending was touching, and the imaginary story woven throughout was cute and touching as well; and no doubt, Roberto Benigni is an exceptional actor.
  • emilkakko
    January 7, 2012
    emilkakko
    How annoying can Roberto Beningi be and how in the world they let him do these god awful shitty films. Benigni has truly problems with his ego. He is also one the worst actor/directors of our times. Just awful piece of crap.
  • coollala0910
    November 22, 2011
    coollala0910
    Life is Beautiful is a truly beautiful film. The acting, writing, story, pacing, and score, are absolutely perfect. The 80% Tomatometer just saddens me. Who doesen't like it? If you haven't seen this picture, I strongly reccomend you go out and rent it.

    In case you just stumbl... read moreed upon my profile, I like to give a little plot synopsis on the film I am reviewing. Life is Beautiful is a movie you just have to see for yourself in order to know what it's about. The film is rated PG-13 but don't bother reading the reason why it is given that rating because it gives away some of the plot. Dont' even bother going on the IMDB or Wikipedia pages for the film. It's about a man named Guido (played by the enjoyable Roberto Benigni) who has a great job and family. His relationship with his family is strong. One day, he and his son, Giosue, land in one of the most dangerous and deadliest places on Earth. Guido makes the experience of being in this specific place less terrifying for his child by playing a game with him. If they follow the instructions, he will win a prize.

    Life is Beautiful is one of the most original movies I have ever seen. It's blend of heartwarming comedy and intense drama doesen't fail. The script is witty and smart and the comedic timing is brilliant. I also enjoyed the pacing and story development. Speaking of the pacing, there are some scenes that are brilliantly set up. They start off intense and then become comedic or vice versa.

    The strongest part of the film in my opinion is the performances. Roberto Benigni is perfect in his role as Guido. You can easily tell he based his performance on Charlie Chaplin. He is very witty and fun to watch and deserved the Best Actor Oscar he got. Giorgio Cartarini is one of the best child actors I have ever seen. I loved hin as Giosue. Nicoletta Braschi was very good as Guido's wife whose named after the explorer, Dora. The cast is excellent. No sucky performances are present.

    The film quickly shits from a comedy to dramedy. The comedy and drama are equally excellent. They don't interfere with each other. As I was watching this film I thought to myself, "Why can't Hollywood make movies like this?" For every good movie out there, there is a bad one. It's like Yin and Yang. The film left me in awe and made mt forget of all the bad movies I've seen. If Marc L., Gordon Franklin Terry Sr., and Cody Fairless-Lee are reading this, you better change your taste quickly. Hollywood, please make more good movies like this again. I think the American film industry can look up to foreign films for help.

    You'll laugh than bawl. Writer-director-actor, Roberto Benigni has created one of the best movies I have ever seen. It's funny, sad, intense, artistic, well constructed, and beautiful. I tend to avoic counting up plot holes in mistakes when I watch films so I consider the film to be basically flawless. Life is Beautiful is a must see.

    "Pigeons fly, women fall from the sky! I'm moving here!"
  • fb1216165431
    September 9, 2011
    fb1216165431
    Life Is Beautiful tells of a story of an imaginary optimism and sacrifice of a father to save his son's dying innocence set during their internment in a World War II Nazi concentration camp. Emotionally powerful. Very beautiful and rare rendition of a tragedy that can make one la... read moreugh hysterically and cry uncontrollably at the same time.

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Critic Reviews

Rick Groen
April 12, 2002
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

Yes, there are heaps of charm and poignancy in this trifle, but it's a trifle nonetheless -- light-and-bright, for sure, but also slight-and-trite. Full Review

Kenneth Turan
February 14, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

Its sentiment is inescapable, but genuine poignancy and pathos are also present, and an overarching sincerity is visible too. Full Review

Stanley Kauffmann
January 1, 2000
Stanley Kauffmann, The New Republic

Benigni certainly knew the risk he was taking with his idea, but the circumstances overwhelm him.

Sean Means
January 1, 2000
Sean Means, Film.com

It's a high-wire act without a net, and Benigni pulls it off with astounding grace and sensitivity.

Richard Schickel
January 1, 2000
Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine

Sentimentality is a kind of fascism too, robbing us of judgment and moral acuity, and it needs to be resisted. Life Is Beautiful is a good place to start.

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Life is Beautiful has come under attack in some circles for mocking the Holocaust. Nothing could be further from the truth. Full Review

Susan Stark
January 1, 2000
Susan Stark, Detroit News

he film's absurdist account of fascism gives the first half rich comic flavors that grow darker as the story progresses. Full Review

Joe Baltake
January 1, 2000
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

Its strained poignancy is as thick -- and sweet -- as honey. Full Review

Mike Clark
January 1, 2000
Mike Clark, USA Today

Art-house sentimentalists will likely go for Beautiful in a big way, but even those who aggressively resist manipulation can find a lot to admire.

Mick LaSalle
January 1, 2000
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

The picture doesn't work, at least not to the extent it was intended to. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Dr. Lessing: If you speak my name, I vanish. What am I?
    • Guido: Il Silencio! [silence]
    • Guido: I forgot to tell you.
    • Dora: Go ahead.
    • Guido: You can't imagine how much I feel like making love to you. But I'll never tell anyone, especially not you. They'd have to torture me to make me say it.
    • Dora: Say what?
    • Guido: That I want to make love to you - not just once, but over and over again! But I'll never tell you that. I'd have to be crazy to tell you. I'd even make love to you now... right here for the rest of my life.
    • Guido: Buon giorno, Principessa!
    • Guido: What kind of place is this? It's beautiful: Pigeons fly, women fall from the sky! I'm moving here!
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Life Is Beautiful (La Vita è bella) Trivia

Life Is Beautiful (La Vita è bell... Trivia

  • Who won the Academy Award in 1998 for Best Actor, and what movie did he win it for?  Answer »
  • What does Guido (R Begninni) say in Life is beautiful (La vita e bella) when he sees the woman he loves?  Answer »
  • In which italian movie is found a green-painted horse with the inscription "jewish horse"  Answer »
  • Who is the actor/director in the Oscar winning movie "La vita e' bella (Life is beautiful"?  Answer »
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