Life is Beautiful Review

by "Ross Anthony" (email AT rossanthony DOT com)
October 3rd, 1999
Groucho Marx in a Concentration Camp
Life Is Beautiful

By Ross Anthony

Heck, I finally went to see this one. And now that I have, I recommend you do.

Guido is a happy go lucky Jewish-Italian gentleman with the lovable ability to make any event, no matter how big or small, work in his favor and lift the spirits of all "good-hearted" passers-by to boot. Unfortunately, Guido is living in Italy at a tragic time in world history. His sparkling ability is put to the darkest of tests when he and his family are shipped off to Nazi concentration camps in Germany.

This script is so smooth. There's nothing extraneous. It's perfectly focused and the timing of events (especially in the first half) is smashing. Benigni brilliantly spectacles the glorious to nauseating extremes the gift of life affords us ... while encouraging our participation in the former.

Writer/Director/Actor: Roberto Benigni
Produced by Elda Ferri, Gianluigi Braschi and distributed by Miramax. Rated PG-13.

Grade..........................A

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Copyright © 1999 Ross Anthony, currently based in Los Angeles, has scripted and shot documentaries, music videos, and shorts in 35 countries across North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. For more reviews visit:
http://RossAnthony.com

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