Review of Life Is Beautiful (1997) by Matthew K — 06 Dec 2011

Roberto Benigni deserves his oscar for playing an man who falls in love and has a family during the outbreak of World War II. He's a very energetic and happy person, who tends to bring smiles to the people he meets(including his wife).

Once taken away by the Nazi's, he tricks his young son into thinking that things happening are all part of a game. In order to "win a prize", he must stay hidden and stay quiet. The prize of course is to go back to the life they all had before thigns broke out.

Even though he fully understands what's happening, he does what he can to keep high spirits in, and to keep a smile on his son's face, to protect him from the reality of what's going on outside, a place that he has to live in everyday, while his son stays separated from it.

.. The film is very light, even when it is dark, and even though this film goes nowhere near the shocking levels of Schindler's List, the film does pull on our heartstrings. Schindler's List may not be an annual film or holiday film to watch, but this film IS one you can watch on more than one occassion, because it's atmosphere is filled with laughter and warmth that will make you feel good by the end.