Life Is Beautiful (La Vita è bella)

Life Is Beautiful (La Vita è bella) (1997)

  • 80% of critics liked it
    (85 reviews)

  • 96% of users liked it
    (218,261 ratings)

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… More

PG-13, 2 hr. 2 min.
Directed By
Roberto Benigni
Written By
Roberto Benigni, Vincenzo Cerami
Genres
Drama, Art House & International, Comedy
In Theaters
Dec 20, 1997 Wide
On DVD
Nov 9, 1999
Miramax

Critic Reviews

  • Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

    Yes, there are heaps of charm and poignancy in this trifle, but it's a trifle nonetheless -- light-and-bright, for sure, but also slight-and-trite.

  • Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

    Its sentiment is inescapable, but genuine poignancy and pathos are also present, and an overarching sincerity is visible too.

  • Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

    In the real death camps there would be no role for Guido. But Life Is Beautiful is not about Nazis and Fascists, but about the human spirit.

  • Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

    Its strained poignancy is as thick -- and sweet -- as honey.

  • Paul Tatara, CNN.com

    The lesson that Benigni ultimately imparts is that it's easy to convince a child horror doesn't exist as long as it stays out of the way while the two of you are goofing off.

Read all 13 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Alexander D


    You know when you're about to watch a film with a title like that, you have to expect something optimistic. Optimism could be all right as a perspective to use for dealing with the Holocaust. The main struggle with LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL (or La vita è bella as it is known in its… More

  • Raymond W


    Roberto Bernigni is fantastic in Life is Beautiful as Guido, a father who goes to elaborate lengths to keep his son (played superbly by Giorgio Cantarini) from understanding the truth about their situation in Italy under German rule at the start of WWII. In the beginning, I could… More

  • Bently L


    Life is Beautiful is a truly beautiful film. The acting, writing, story, pacing, and score, are absolutely perfect. The 80% Tomatometer just saddens me. Who doesen't like it? If you haven't seen this picture, I strongly reccomend you go out and rent it. In case you just… More

  • Jan Marc M


    Life Is Beautiful tells of a story of an imaginary optimism and sacrifice of a father to save his son's dying innocence set during their internment in a World War II Nazi concentration camp. Emotionally powerful. Very beautiful and rare rendition of a tragedy that can make one… More

  • Jameson W


    Great film with a lovely story. While first watching this movie, I didn't like it that much. The beginning is very humorous, but many times it crosses over into the very unappealing area of sillyness. In particular, Roberto Benigni's performance. For the most part he's… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

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