Life is Beautiful/La Vita E Bella: A Screenplay (Paperback)

~ (Author), Vincenzo Cerami (Author) "Under a beautiful, crystalline sky, a Balilla convertible piled high with luggage makes its smooth, happy way through the placid Tuscan hills..." (more)
Key Phrases: Robin Hood, Ugly Duckling

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This romantic, hilarious, and astonishingly moving story, winner of the Grand Jury prize at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival, explores the power of the imagination, set against the stark reality of World War II Europe. The companion screenplay to the Miramax film presents the profound yet tender story that has touched the hearts of so many.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Miramax; 1st edition (January 20, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078688469X
• ISBN-13: 978-0786884698
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #851,996 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Guido as Shakespeare's Fool, January 9, 2000

By	Aparna Raman (Bangalore, India) - See all my reviews

An affirmation of life, even in the face of the century's greatest evil, is what makes Life is Beautiful thematically beautiful. Guido, the protagonist, is brilliant as the father who uses imagination and cheer to shield his son Joshua from the reality and horrors of the Holocaust. In this, his characterization is reminiscent of Shakespeare's Fool. I was reminded of the scene in King Lear, of the King and his Fool on the heath. In Life is Beautiful, Guido plays the Fool, Joshua is King Lear ( Lear is after all nothing but a child) and the Holocaust is the metaphorical storm. Both Guido and the Fool use wit and humour to conceal and reveal respectively. While Guido plays the Fool with intention to conceal truths, the Fool's wit serves to reveal to the 'child' king, the errors caused by his folly. Also, both Lear and Joshua play a game of life an d death by which they stand to lose all. While Lear stakes his kingdom and loses -he dies, Joshua plays and "wins" -he lives. Finally, why do we like Guido? Because he retains his spirit and remains the incurable romantic even as his family faces extinction.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars pathos and humor = LIFE, May 3, 2003

By	Rachel B Johnson "johnsorb" (Waxhaw, NC United States) - See all my reviews

Guido, the central character in Life is Beautiful, is one of the most poignant characters in literature. He chooses to create an illusionary world for his son so that Giosue will survive the horrific conditions in a concentration camp. It becomes clear to the reader that Guido makes a decision as soon as he and Giouse are taken to the camp that he will, if necessary, go so far as to sacrifice his own life for his son's strength and survival. The theme of unconditional love transcending pain, horror, and incomprehensible ignorance is the ultimate message of the book. And, if anything, the reader empathizes even more with victims of the Holocaust because of Guido's presentation of his experiences. There is no "making fun" of the Holocaust in this book; there is only a celebration of love and the beauty of life. Everyone should read it and watch the movie!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "This is not the movie, only the screenplay.", February 23, 2001

By	tvtv3 "tvtv3" (Sorento, IL United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

One has to admit, Miramax makes a lot of darn good movies, from SLING BLADE to GOOD WILL HUNTING. LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL is another great movie. In fact, LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL is one of the best movies of 1998. However, this is not the movie. This is only the screenplay. Sure you have all the lines that are in the film and a few pictures, but that's it. Frankly, if you haven't seen the film, I wouldn't recommend you reading or buying this: the words on a printed page are nothing like the movie. However, if you've seen the film you're probably a fan and it might be worth your while.