Life is Beautiful

3/4

Starring: Roberto Benigni, Giorgio Cantarini, Nicoletta Braschi, Horst Buchholtz

Rated PG-13 for Holocaust-Related Thematic Elements

It is impossible to ask us to have a good feeling when watching a movie about the Holocuast, and Roberto Benigni wisely doesn't ask us to.  Comedy is a tool, not the focus, of this film.  The heart of the film is the bond between a father and son, and the fight to save those we love amid terrible horror.

"Life is Beautiful" is divided into two acts: first is a light romance between a goofy man named Guido (Benigni) and a pretty girl named Dora (Braschi, Benigni's real-life wife).  She's a teacher who is engaged to a politico while he is a waiter, but for Guido, it's love at first sight.  The second act takes place after they are married and have a child named Joshua (Cantarini).  World War II has broken out, and both Guido and Joshua have been sent to a concentration camp (Dora goes voluntarily in a desperate attempt to be with her family).  Determined to shield Joshua from the unthinkable reality of their present situation, Guido creates an elaborate scenario where their situation is part of a game, and the winner gets a real tank.

Telling this story was a daring move for Benigni.  If he didn't do it correctly, it would have offended a lot of people.  Indeed, some said it mocked the Holocaust.  This is simply not the case.  While there are instances of humor in Guido's antics and storytelling, Benigni never lets us forget what is really going on.  Aspects of the Holocaust have been lessened slightly (it is possible for Guido to sneak into a radio booth with Joshua and play a song for Dora over the loudspeakers without getting caught and suffering a terrible death), but only to the point where Benigni can successfully tell his story.  If nothing else, he gets the tone right.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the script.  It's just not strong enough to make the characters true individuals.  I felt for them mentally, but not emotionally, and that's what keeps this film from being truly great.  It is also about ten minutes too long (the first act could have been cut down a bit).

The acting is on solid ground.  Roberto Benigni has his over-the-top moments, but those are few.  His rubber face and glee are at times impossible to resist.  Nicoletta Braschi is not as successful.  She can do okay with the drama and subtle humor, but the big stuff (like the hiccups) doesn't land.  Giorgio Cantarini is solid, but lacks polish.  This was his first film, and it looks like it.

Ultimately, it is Benigni's daring and the father/son relationship that gets the film a recommendation from me.

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