Life Is Beautiful

PG-13

Released Oct 22, 1998

2h 2m

Comedy

Drama

List

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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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

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

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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

Audience Member

This is a very complex film that perfectly balances comedy and tragedy, which leads to a "beautiful" but heartbreaking adventure.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/09/24

Full Review

Fer S

Fantastic! However, I did not find the first half of the movie amusing.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/01/24

Full Review

GABRIEL S

The best Italian film in history.And one of the best films overall.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/26/24

Full Review

Ekain C

Amaizing film!!! 10 out of 10

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/18/24

Full Review

Willhelm K

Boring and not worth the time.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/03/24

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
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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