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Life Is Beautiful

Play trailer Poster for Life Is Beautiful PG-13 Released Oct 22, 1998 2h 2m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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81% Tomatometer 94 Reviews 96% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
A gentle Jewish-Italian waiter, Guido Orefice (Roberto Benigni), meets Dora (Nicoletta Braschi), a pretty schoolteacher, and wins her over with his charm and humor. Eventually they marry and have a son, Giosue (Giorgio Cantarini). Their happiness is abruptly halted, however, when Guido and Giosue are separated from Dora and taken to a concentration camp. Determined to shelter his son from the horrors of his surroundings, Guido convinces Giosue that their time in the camp is merely a game.
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Life Is Beautiful

Life Is Beautiful

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Critics Consensus

Benigni's earnest charm, when not overstepping its bounds into the unnecessarily treacly, offers the possibility of hope in the face of unflinching horror.

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Critics Reviews

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Ben Dowell Times (UK) Schmaltzy, treacly, saccharine — call it what you like, if you’re not blubbing by the end, check your pulse. Sep 20, 2022 Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Wrenching Holocaust fable with bittersweet humor. Rated: 5/5 Dec 25, 2010 Full Review Steven D. Greydanus Decent Films Rated: A Oct 29, 2008 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins The last act is monumental - in its crushing revelations, the inevitable deterioration and near-misses of the complex charade, and the chance coincidences that constitute alternating hope and despair. Rated: 10/10 Aug 25, 2024 Full Review Matthew Rozsa matthewrozsa.com "It makes you wonder if “Shakespeare in Love” really deserved the Academy Award for best movie of ’98." Rated: 3.5/4 Aug 26, 2023 Full Review Wesley Lovell Cinema Sight “Life Is Beautiful” is quite entertaining and well acted for the most part. Benigni isn’t extremely impressive in the lead role, nor is Cantarini very effective. The plot contains various elements seen in other films and not done much better. Rated: 2/4 Dec 25, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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christopher b I’m so glad I was the only person in the theater because I lost it. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/04/22 Full Review Yaziel S the story begins In pre-war Italy where Guido begins a charming and impressible Jewish man arrives in Tuscany with dreams of opening bookstore he quickly falls in love with white Dora a schoolteacher and through a series of comical and whimsical encounters wins her heart their life together is idyllic filled with laughter and love and they eventually have happiness is shattered. Guido also tries to convince that his son giosue that the camp they are is a fun challenge for both of them. this also shows the love of Guido for his son giosue. the movie shows how powerful the human spirit is and the power of love to one another. how sad was the halaucost, its a testament of how much endurance the human heart has. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/16/25 Full Review Ian G Life Is Beautiful is a powerful and emotional film that blends humor and tragedy against the backdrop of the Holocaust. It follows Guido, a joyful Jewish-Italian man who uses imagination to protect his son from the horrors of a concentration camp. More than just a movie, it’s an unforgettable experience that lingers long after the credits roll. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/16/25 Full Review Jay H I'd definitely recommend this movie, the first half is really good with comedic times and astounding acting that really connects you with the characters, then the second half starts to shatter those connections with emotional moments leading to the final moment. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/16/25 Full Review Juan T Life is beautiful is a powerful blend of comedy and tragedy that leaves a lasting emotional impact. Roberto Benigni’s performance as Guido is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. His playful antics in the first half, like pretending to be a school inspector to impress Dora, bring joy and laughter. But it’s his unwavering love and imagination in the second half, especially when he convinces his son their time in a concentration camp is just a game that elevates the film into something extraordinary. With unique structure that shifts from romance to survival Life is Beautiful shows that even in humanity’s darkest moments, love and hope can be profound acts of courage. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/15/25 Full Review Yera S Yera. S Can laughter really exist during the hardest times in life? The movie Life is Beautiful, directed by and starring Roberto Benigni, shows that it can. This Italian film stands out because it mixes humor, love, and sadness in a way that really sticks with you. At first, it seems like a light comedy, but as the story goes on, it becomes much deeper and more emotional. It’s a film that makes you laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time. The story follows Guido, a cheerful and clever man who always sees the bright side of life. He’s full of jokes, big dreams, and he goes after what he wants with confidence. The way the movie is set up is really interesting. It starts off funny and lighthearted, but as it continues, it slowly brings in more serious themes. This change in tone makes the emotional parts hit even harder because by then, you’ve gotten to know the characters and care about them. The acting is a big reason why the film works so well. Roberto Benigni, who plays Guido, gives an amazing performance. He’s not just funny, he also shows how deeply he loves the people around him. His energy is strong and his personality fills every scene. The actress who plays Dora, the woman he falls in love with, is also really good. She doesn’t have a loud or wild personality, but her quiet strength and loyalty say a lot. Even the young boy who plays their son gives a great performance that feels real and emotional. The movie deals with some big ideas. Even without explaining everything directly, it makes you think about love, sacrifice, and the power of staying hopeful. One of the best things about this film is how it uses humor even during serious moments. Instead of making the movie feel fake or silly, it actually makes the sad parts even more powerful. It shows how important it is to hold onto joy, especially when times are hard. Another message in the movie is how imagination can help people deal with really tough situations. Guido’s creative and playful way of looking at the world helps him face challenges that would break most people. Without giving anything away, I’ll just say that what he does out of love and hope is really inspiring. Overall, Life is Beautiful is a film I would definitely recommend. It’s not like most movies, and it really leaves an impact. It’s the kind of story that makes you appreciate life more, and it shows how strong love and positivity can be. If you're looking for a movie that will make you feel a lot but still leave you smiling, this is the one. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/15/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Life Is Beautiful

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Movie Info

Synopsis A gentle Jewish-Italian waiter, Guido Orefice (Roberto Benigni), meets Dora (Nicoletta Braschi), a pretty schoolteacher, and wins her over with his charm and humor. Eventually they marry and have a son, Giosue (Giorgio Cantarini). Their happiness is abruptly halted, however, when Guido and Giosue are separated from Dora and taken to a concentration camp. Determined to shelter his son from the horrors of his surroundings, Guido convinces Giosue that their time in the camp is merely a game.
Director
Roberto Benigni
Producer
Gianluigi Braschi, Elda Ferri
Screenwriter
Vincenzo Cerami, Roberto Benigni
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
Miramax, Cecchi Gori Group Tiger Cinema
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
Italian
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 22, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 25, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$57.6M
Runtime
2h 2m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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