Life Is Beautiful

Release Date:

1997

Genre:

Comedy, Drama

Director:

Roberto Benigni

Writers:

Vincenzo Cerami, Roberto Benigni

Stars:

Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, Giorgio Cantarini

Story:

In 1930s Italy, a carefree Jewish book keeper named Guido starts a fairy tale life by courting and marrying a lovely woman from a nearby city. Guido and his wife have a son and live happily together until the occupation of Italy by German forces. In an attempt to hold his family together and help his son survive the horrors of a Jewish Concentration Camp, Guido tells him that they are playing a game, certain actions which garner points, other actions which take points away or disqualify one from the game. The first to reach 1,000 points wins the prize of a real tank. Guido's primary goal is to keep Giosué safe at all cost, while he tries to figure out a way to get his family out of the camp and keep the Germans at bay from learning what he is doing with Giosué.

Opinion:

This may be one of the best films ever made. I've never seen a movie with such a balance of hysterical comedy and serious drama. a movie that so truly symbolizes its name and its message. The story, the performances, the entire theme of a person performing his duties as a husband, as a father is very inspiring.