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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 The 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 Tom Dawson BBC.com How appealing you find it will probably depend on your response to Benigni's screen-hogging routines -- the line between endearing and irksome is a fine one. Rated: 2/5 Jun 10, 2002 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 r96 s 'Life Is Beautiful' is certainly beautiful (in a sense), but is acutely haunting too. You can see where the film is heading from pretty much the get-go, though that only strengthens the grip that the film had on my mind. Evidently, it's an outstanding piece of filmmaking. I've, of course, seen plenty of flicks that feature this particular historical event, but I gotta say this one had a larger effect on me than is the norm. They are all saddening, obviously, but this one with the young family aspect hit a bit more, it felt more intimate. That's all despite the movie being infused with comedy, the mixing of which is supreme. Roberto Benigni is tremendous in the role of Guido, not only does he convey the aforementioned humour brilliantly but when it comes to the more sombre moments his acting prowess shines through just as much. Giorgio Cantarini shows up with an impressive kid display, while Nicoletta Braschi is very good as well - her penultimate scene stands out most. The stunning score is also a major plus, one part of it kept giving me Andrea Bocelli vibes; probably a lazy connection on my part, given it's an Italian film but hey-ho. My only 'negative' (it's not even a negative, tbh) is the final scene with Guido, which felt a little skipped across and rushed. As intended, just felt a tad odd whilst watching though. A heart-wrenching, yet splendid, 116 minutes, that's for certain. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/17/25 Full Review Emily M The most beautiful movie, a depiction of love. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/13/25 Full Review Karexa O Mi película favorita. Es perfecta y es inexplicable todo lo que transmite. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/31/25 Full Review Abby B I watched the movie two weeks ago and despite it being that long I still I have a vivid descriptions of the movie that's how mine captivating it was. With that being said, the intro to movie was not as interesting or soul touching as the final scenes. The first might tell you to click but persevere, as the movie is truly worth it Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/22/25 Full Review Jayden H My thoughts on the movie were that the movie was a very numerous and yet had some tragedy in it along with many comedic parts in the movie. I really recommend this movie if you want to watch a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/22/25 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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