"Buongiorno Principessa!!"

If you've seen 'Life is Beautiful' then you'll recognise this. I've seen some poor reviews of this, but for me, Mrs G and the Sprog, this is a film that hits all of the right buttons.

The first part is a love story, a Rom-Com. It takes place in Mussolini's Italy before the war; he (Guido) is an Italian Jew - annoying but romantic, she (Dora) is an Italian Catholic, upper-middle class and finally won over. Time skips forward four or five years - they have an adorable little boy and run a book shop, though they are constantly hassled by the fascist authorities. The dad tries to shield his son from the ugly realities:

"Why does that sign say: No Jews, No dogs" he asks
"Well, they just don't like them. What don't you like?"
"I don't like spiders"
"Well, I don't like Visigoths. Tomorrow we'll make a sign for our shop: No Spiders or Visigoths allowed"

It's the way he tells them. Of course, they are taken off to the camps along with his elderly uncle and his wife insists on getting on the train as well. The old uncle is seen getting changed for his 'shower', Guido pretends that the whole thing is a special treat for Giuse's birthday - a kind of game where the winner gets a real, live tank.

There's one scene that a real tear-jerker and reminiscent of the scene in 'The Shawshank Redemption' when he puts the music on the loudspeaker.

I won't say any more except to warn you that it's in Italian with sub-titles, but don't let that put you off. Also, give it a chance - as I said, the first half is like a light Rom-Com, but that's just the set-up for the horrors of the camp.

It's more about one man's love for his wife and child than anything else, but focussing on one human story rather than the impersonal mass makes you really think. In this, it's similar in impact to 'The Pianist', but in a very different way.

I'd be interested to know what you think.
(Che Grimsdale Best before:, Fri 18 Jul 2008, 16:50, 7 replies)

Only seen it once
but it was lovely.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Fri 18 Jul 2008, 17:02, closed)

I do want to see this and have wanted to ever since it was released
But I keep stopping because I know I'm going to cry the entire way through it.

Although I watched 'The Pianist' expecting the same reaction and didn't cry once.

Hmm...next weekend's hired DVD I think.
( chickenlady b3ta's very own Elizabeth Taylor, Fri 18 Jul 2008, 17:10, closed)

Wonderful film.
I didn't cry because I'm well hard.
( girlinthehole, Fri 18 Jul 2008, 17:55, closed)

I remember watching this late one night after coming back from the pub
It was halfway through, so I missed the whole rom-com beginning, but I thought the movie was amazing. The best part, in my eyes, was when the guard was giving a speech when they first enter the camp, and Guido (who can't speak any German) 'translates' it for his son. It was brilliantly done - if anyone hasn't seen it, it's definitely one to watch
(Pavlov's Frog figures no-one really reads sigs anyway, Fri 18 Jul 2008, 18:55, closed)

My favourite movie.
Loved it, cried in it. Brilliant.
(Holy Gabrielle is Holy, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 6:52, closed)

Yes
a superb film indeed. Very moving. Awesome ending.
( enoughblueskyforsailorstrousers, Mon 21 Jul 2008, 7:21, closed)

So much better than The Pianist
No comparison really.

And yes, plenty of tears.
(K.W.A. Knickers With Attitude, Tue 22 Jul 2008, 14:27, closed)