Special Movie Review Feature by Reubenna Dutta.
By - Reubenna Dutta.
Being a movie list compiler and reviewer may sound like a glamorous passion, but it requires a significant amount of effort and extensive research to pursue. I have been writing about films for the past three years and have come to the conclusion that it can become quite burdensome if I start following trends or only write about popular films. Instead, I have chosen to take a path that resonates most with me—writing about topics related to films that inspire me or pique my interest at that moment. This unstructured method may seem chaotic, but it has worked for me, allowing me to express my love for cinema through my writing. This selection method is inspired, in part, by my favourite film, "Life Is Beautiful." Today, I am delighted to have the opportunity to write about it at last.
Life Is Beautiful - The Inspiration
"Life Is Beautiful" is an Italian film directed and co-written by Roberto Benigni in 1997. It is inspired by a book titled "In the End, I Beat Hitler" by Rubino Romeo Salmoni, along with the real-life experiences of Benigni's father, Luigi Benigni. During World War II, Sr. Benigni's two years in a concentration camp significantly influenced the characters and the overall narrative of the story, lending it a sense of both realism and poignancy, despite its comedic nature.
Life Is Beautiful - The Synopsis
The story follows Guido Orefice, a comic Italian Jew who moves to Tuscany, where he falls in love with a woman named Dora. He successfully wins her over, and they elope in a fairy tale fashion on horseback, escaping from her engagement to another man. Their simple, happy life together begins as they run a bookstore.
Five years later, with the Nazis occupying Northern Italy, Guido and his family are arrested and sent to a concentration camp. Tragically, Dora is permanently separated from her husband and son. While in the camp, Guido tries every possible way to reconnect with her but ultimately fails. Instead, he manages to shield his son, Giosue, from the grim reality of their situation by convincing him that the camp is a complicated game where they must complete various tasks to earn points; once they reach 1,000 points, the winner gets a tank.
As the situation grows increasingly dire, Guido maintains his positive attitude through various antics to keep his son’s spirits high, despite their horrific circumstances. Before the arrival of the Allied Forces, Guido makes a final, desperate attempt to reunite with Dora, which tragically leads to his death at the hands of the German soldiers. However, before this, he hides his son and tells him only to come out once the camp is deserted, so that he can complete his final task and win the tank. The next morning, Giosue emerges from his hiding place, unaware of his father's fate, and is happily rescued by a US Army-led Sherman tank. He believes he has won the tank for completing all the tasks and is joyfully reunited with his mother, Dora.
Life Is Beautiful - The Review.
This film can be categorised as a comedy-drama. Before its release, it faced scrutiny for attempting to portray such a dark historical period in a light-hearted manner. However, despite mixed reviews upon its premiere, it successfully captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. For me, it is an exceptionally beautiful and almost poetic film, infused with touches of black comedy. Despite the struggles and hardships the family endures, the protagonist's determination to "Stay Alive, Being Alive" and his efforts to keep his family connected prevent the film from feeling depressing or regretful.
Here are the top five lessons to take from the movie:
1. Presence of mind and wit can help one navigate any situation.
2. It is essential to live fully in every moment, embracing both joy and grief.
3. Maintaining a positive mindset and a strong will is crucial for success.
4. A father's love, determination, and sacrifice are powerful.
5. Family is the greatest source of support and strength.
The worldwide recognition and appreciation of the film are evident from the awards it has received, including multiple Academy Awards, BAFTA Awards, and Cannes Awards. This film is available to watch on Prime Video.
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