A story about a love of a father and a husband towards his family, a love of a wife and a mother towards her family, and an innocence of a son – Life is Beautiful.
The first half of the movie revolves around the love story of Guido Orefice, a young Italian Jew, and Dora, a school teacher who came from a wealthy Italian family.
Guido went to Arezzo where he plans to own a bookstore but he first became a waiter in a restaurant where his uncle, Eliseo Orefice, works. Upon arriving in the said place, Guido met Dora in a very unusual way. Dora, having an astonishing beauty, Guido fell in love with her. Dora on the other hand easily fell in love with Guido because of its charm. Dora at that time was already engaged in an arrogant guy from an aristocrat family, Guido end up stealing Dora at her engagement party.
Several years later, Guido and Dora married and had a son, Giosuè.
The second half of the story then revolves around when Guido, his son Giosuè, and his Uncle Eliseo were captured by the Nazi army and taken to a concentration camp. Despite being non-Jew, Dora insisted to be in the same train with his family and was permitted to do so.
Even though they are facing tough times of their life, Guido tried to cover the horrible reality to his son. He told the kid that they are going to a big holiday. In the camp, Guido said to his son that they are just participating in a game where whoever wins, will have a real tank as a prize.
Guido was able to maintain the story up until the war was about to end. In trying to save his family from all the chaos, Guido was killed by a Nazi soldier.
Giosuè on the other hand, not knowing about the death of his father, thought that they had won the game for he saw a real American tank. On their way home, Giosuè saw her mother and reunited with her.
Years later, Giosuè realized the sacrifice his father had made. The sacrifice that made him alive until today. The story then ends with an older Giosuè narrating the whole story.
On the other hand, the symbolisms in the story are the horse, the game itself and Guido’s phrase, "Buongiorno Principessa”.
The horse in the story, as we all know, was molested, was painted, etc. Such things are made just because the horse was a Jewish horse. The horse then symbolizes all the innocent Jews that were molested just because they are “Jews”.
Furthermore, the game represented their life. If they win, they will become free and live. If they lose the game, it simply means death.
Lastly, the phrase "Buongiorno Principessa” represents Dora and Guido’s love for each other. It also symbolizes how they met and how they would know that they are still alive inside the concentration camp.
Honestly, the films’ production was not that great. But the story itself made it worth watching for. The story was really unique and very touching. It’s not just a simple romantic comedy film.
No comments:
Post a Comment