Life Is Beautiful (1997)

Synopsis of Life Is Beautiful

In this WW II tragicomedy, famed Italian funnyman Roberto Benigni (The Monster) portrays Guido, who moves during the '30s from the country to a Tuscan town, where he is entranced by schoolteacher Dora (Nicoletta Braschi, Benigni's real-life wife). Dora likes Guido, but she remains faithful to her pompous fiancé, so Guido has an uphill struggle. Meanwhile, anti-Semitic attitudes lead to attacks against Guido's Jewish uncle (Giustino Durano). Leaping ahead to five years later, during WW II, Guido and Dora are married and have a son Giosue (Giorgio Cantarini). After they are imprisoned in a concentration camp, Guido goes to elaborate lengths to keep his son from understanding the truth of their situation. He tells the boy that they are competing with others to win an armored tank -- so everything from food shortages to tattoos is explained as necessary for participation in the contest. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

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Theatrical Feature Running Time:

116 mins

Director(s):

Roberto Benigni

Writer(s):

Vincenzo Cerami, Roberto Benigni

Producer(s):

Gianluigi Braschi, Elda Ferri

Theatrical MPAA Rating:

PG13(Adult Situations, Watch With Your Teen, Questionable for Children, Violence)

• 1998 - Broadcast Film Critics Association - Best Foreign Film
• 1998 - Cannes Film Festival - Grand Jury Prize
• 1998 - Chicago Film Critics Association - Best Foreign Film
• 1998 - French Academy of Cinema - Best Foreign Language Film
• 1998 - Screen Actors Guild - Best Actor
• 1998 - Toronto Film Critics Association - Best Actor - Runner-up

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