1998, 1 hr 54 min., Rated PG-13 for holocaust-related thematic elements. Dir: Roberto Benigni. Cast: Roberto Benigni (Guido Orefice), Nicoletta Breschi (Dora), Giorgio Cantarini (Joshua).

This isn't a story about the Holocaust, it's about a man who loves his family, a man who loves life.

I went to see this with Sydney while on Thanksgiving vacation, and it was also my first subtitled foreign film. And I'm not going to be one of those movie gurus who forget to mention how it's an Italian film where they speak Italian. For anyone who is afraid of subtitles, don't worry. For the first few minutes I was aware that I was reading, but you adapt quickly to where you read and watch the action simultaneously without thinking.

Life Is Beautiful is a film in two halves. The first, Guido in the city trying to start a business, and courting Dora. The second, with Guido and Joshua taken to the concentration camp and Dora, despite not being Jewish, volunteers to be taken as well to be with her family. Guido does what he can to keep her spirits up as the men and women are separated, such as using the loudspeaker with Joshua to send a message to her, and turning a phonograph player towards the dorms as is plays their song.

The film takes the viewer through the complete range of emotions, with several humorous scenes as well as several touching. Guido is a big kid, and not afraid to be outgoing and embarrass himself, without it looking embarrassing.

I don't get this criticism by several "critics" who say that the picture makes light of the Holocaust. We know the atrocities committed against Jews, and we see them on-screen. The criticism stems from how Guido, a big kid, doesn't realize the full weight of the situation until it's almost too late, and he isn't honest with his son Joshua, also in the camp. For instance, Guido doesn't realize that the "shower" actually is the gas chamber. He tells Joshua that the camp is all part of a game, where the winner accumulates 1000 points and wins a real tank. Would have been any better for his son if Guido had been honest?