Beautiful
- Cinema Paradiso review by CP Customer
One of those films that quite genuinely leaves you feeling moved. Lovely little stories, and the acting was very good, particularly from the little boy character. The alternate ending, with it's extra 47 minutes, makes a lot of sense and adds a real something to the film - make sure you make time to watch it. Not quite sure how I'd improve it; perhaps the link between past and present was a little banile, but only a minor criticism really. Well worth renting.
4 out of 4 members found this review helpful.
stunning
- Cinema Paradiso review by CP Customer
This film reminds us of the magic of cinema. If your sick of the same Hollywood films give this a try as a welcome antidote! quite simply magical!
4 out of 4 members found this review helpful.
Classico
- Cinema Paradiso review by JD
This is an Italian film of beauty and gentle nostalgia. It is not sophisticated or dramatic and I enjoyed it for that. The characters are played lovingly and I was completely immersed in the charm of this quirky Italian village.
It is well worth adopting as a company's brand name.
4 out of 5 members found this review helpful.
Too schmaltzy for me
- Cinema Paradiso review by Stefan
I enjoyed the cinematography and the evocation of various periods in Toto's life. The young Toto aged 4 is a great character, but as the film moved into Toto's young adulthood the magic somehow disappeared and was replaced by what I found to be a rather schmaltzy long sequence where Toto recalls his first and only (real) love. The kid Toto's fascination with cinema really came across, but the teenage Toto did not have this sparkle - the magic just wasn't there. I'm left wondering why this film did so well at all. The added scenes to make the director's cut detract from the film and make it even more schmaltzy than it already is.
1 out of 4 members found this review helpful.
A beautiful life and times story
- Cinema Paradiso review by MH
A friend recommended this when I told him the name used by the company I was borrowing it from. He was surprised I hadn't seen it. The film moves through the life of its main character and the village where he lives and through this story we witness the changing times, the rise and fall of the cinema, conscription, growing affluence and the tragic event which shaped his life. You hardly notice the music but when you take it in it is a gentle, fitting and beautiful accompaniment.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Lovely, Nostagic, Charming
- Cinema Paradiso review by ll
Beautifully filmed, wonderful music in 5.1 DTS surround sound. A number of well portrayed characters.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Soak up the atmosphere
- Cinema Paradiso review by PR
A humorous lovely film. We especially liked the early sequences with the young Salvatore and Alfredo.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Refreshing
- Cinema Paradiso review by vs
A beautiful and moving film with such believable characters. Moving in parts and very thought provoking. I would watch this film again and probably will do again soon. It brought out the ephemeral nature of art and life. Reminiscent of The Tempest.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Critique of Nostalgia
- Cinema Paradiso review by PM
This is a good story, and developes a feeling for how the circumstances and expectations of the audience have changed since the early days of the cinema. It's also a critique of nostalgia and how it can both profit and demean our lives. Nicely composed and beautifully acted, I found the soundtrack rather irritating and over emotional, but in a way that perhaps illustrates something of the italian style.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.
Loved it
- Cinema Paradiso review by LG
This was worth watching. It is very romantic but with a bitter sweet ending. A classic film for the whole family.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.