Review of Cinema Paradiso (1988) by Rafael T — 21 Feb 2011

This is a well known foreign film, a all time favorite of my father (who is half italian), received critical acclaim and many awards, including Oscar, golden globe, and BAFTA for best foreign language in 1989, and cannes grand prix jury.

Phillipe noiret performance as Alfredo was also praised universally.

This movie tells the story of a famous filmmaker raised in a poor village in sicily, who after years of leaving his natal land returns to home to attend the funeral of an old friend, as this happens he starts to remember his childhood and relations, This man Salvatore "Toto" as a child and with the death of his father after world war II, was in the need of working from a very short age. Toto discover his love for films, and starts spending every free minute in the projection room of the little "cinema paradiso" in wich he meets Alfredo, With time and patience alfredo becomes a father figure to Toto, teaching him trough movies (and a lot of comedy too) many lessons about relationships, family, cinema and basically about life.

A great nostalgic film, with a beautiful photography. brilliantly directed by giuseppe tonatore, and with a superb performance of Phillipe noiret as alfredo. An homage to movies and the value of true friends in life.

Be awared: The extended cut it's a little overlong. Still is great.