Life Is Beautiful

PG-13

Released Oct 22, 1998

2h 2m

Comedy

Drama

List

81%

Tomatometer

93 Reviews

96%

Audience Score

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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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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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

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

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Benigni does a fabulous job of building his characters and telling his story while planting the reality of their situations in our subconscious. I knew the dangers and I knew the stakes were high.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 23, 2022

Full Review

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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

Geo3 F

What came I say that has not been already said this film is a classic right out there with The Pianist in terms of being memorable. Director and actor Roberto Benigni does a masterclass performance and directing to tell a story of sadness but in a joyful way that other holocaust films before it. In the end, all I have to say for film lovers this is a must see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/05/24

Full Review

Asama S

Touching and informative

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/17/24

Full Review

Dimitr S

Extremely satisfying film with great moments tinged with the impact of war. Well worth watching.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/24

Full Review

Ilson SimÃ£o S

Uma obra prima, emocionante e atuação do Roberto Begnini muito boa, mereceu o Oscar!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/03/24

Full Review

Karina H

Sweet, Charming, Heart Breaking. This movie has everything.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/06/23

Full Review

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Roberto Benigni

Director

Roberto Benigni

Guido Orefice

Nicoletta Braschi

Dora

Giorgio Cantarini

Giosué Orefice

Giustino Durano

Eliseo Orefice

Sergio Bini Bustric

Ferruccio Papini

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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
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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