You can believe that the filmmakers behind Life is Beautiful had good intentions when they set out to make it; and going by the critical and commercial reception at the time of the movie's release, you'd think that were successful in meeting those expectations. But looking back now at the movie in retrospect, it's plain to see that it's a little "off." That's to say, this drama - partly set during the holocaust - seems oddly misguided in its attempt to depict some of the most tragic events in the history of the world in a way that feels like they're being trivialised - especially when the movie in question stars Italy's answer to Robin Williams, one Roberto Benigni (who won an Oscar for his role), who plays a father who lies to his son during their time in a concentration camp to protect his innocence. Nowadays, you'd expect that somebody would say, "hey, this idea doesn't really carry through" and it'd be scrapped. But back in 1997 nobody said a thing, and what probably seemed like a novel approach to a real life travesty came across as interesting. Now, it feels like exploitation - not to mention unrealistic. So 29 in the Top 250 really does feel bizarre.
Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.
