Life Is Beautiful
1997, Drama/Comedy, 2h 2m
87 Reviews 100,000+ RatingsWhat to know
Benigni's earnest charm, when not overstepping its bounds into the unnecessarily treacly, offers the possibility of hope in the face of unflinching horror. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Guido Orefice
Dora
Giosué Orefice
Eliseo Orefice
Ferruccio Papini
Madre di Dora
News & Interviews for Life Is Beautiful
Critic Reviews for Life Is Beautiful
All Critics (87) | Top Critics (22) | Fresh (70) | Rotten (17)
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Wrenching Holocaust fable with bittersweet humor.
December 25, 2010 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review… -
Quote not available.
October 29, 2008 | Rating: A | Full Review… -
How appealing you find it will probably depend on your response to Benigni's screen-hogging routines -- the line between endearing and irksome is a fine one.
June 10, 2002 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review… -
Yes, there are heaps of charm and poignancy in this trifle, but it's a trifle nonetheless -- light-and-bright, for sure, but also slight-and-trite.
April 12, 2002 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review… -
If this is a fantasy, it is probably a compensation we need when facing the reality of history.
March 5, 2002 | Full Review… -
Its sentiment is inescapable, but genuine poignancy and pathos are also present, and an overarching sincerity is visible too.
February 14, 2001 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for Life Is Beautiful
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Mar 14, 2016Buongiorno Principessa! A very powerful film that begins pre-war as a slap-stick comedy, introducing our characters with some memorable clever scenes, but then shows its real genius in the second-half when Guido uses his fast-talking talent to keep his young son's high spirits and childhood naivety intact during their internment in a concentration camp. Guido's character has an extremely and uniquely playful perspective on life that with great skill carries him, his son and indeed his wife, on through some of the most bleakest times anyone could ever experience.Ross C Super Reviewer
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Apr 19, 2013Despite allegations that this somehow makes light of the Holocaust, I believe that this film has quite the opposite result. Despite the attempts at comedy by Benigni for the sake of his son, the audience can see the true horror unfolding behind him. A truly beautiful film.John B Super Reviewer
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Aug 12, 2012Saying perfect really sets a bar for a film. For Life is Beautiful, there truly is a perfect blend of happiness and sadness in the span of 2 hours. The story is delicate and gentle, never burdening the audience with the tragedies of WWII. A masterpiece and incredibly powerful.paul o Super Reviewer
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Aug 10, 2012You could argue that "Life is Beautiful" exploits overly sensitive material, but I'd disagree. I don't think that a film this sweet could ever knowingly have bad intentions. It's got to be one of the most inspirational, most magical films out there, and you'd literally have to have a heart of stone and a soul as black as coal not to be carried away by its whimsical charm. Roberto Benigni turns in an incredibly uplifting, completely honest performance that's as sincere as it gets. You can complain about a film being too or too profane, but don't ever complain about a film being too nice, which, I'm afraid, is what some have said about "Life is Beautiful."Stephen E Super Reviewer
Life Is Beautiful (La Vita è bella) Quotes
| Uncle: | Nothing is more necessary than the unnecessary. |
| Dr. Lessing: | If you speak my name, I vanish. What am I? |
| Guido: | Il Silencio! (Silence) |
| Guido: | Il Silencio! [silence] |
| Guido: | I forgot to tell you. |
| Dora: | Go ahead. |
| Guido: | You can't imagine how much I feel like making love to you. But I'll never tell anyone, especially not you. They'd have to torture me to make me say it. |
| Dora: | Say what? |
| Guido: | That I want to make love to you - not just once, but over and over again! But I'll never tell you that. I'd have to be crazy to tell you. I'd even make love to you now... right here for the rest of my life. |
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