Rent Cinema Paradiso (1988)

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.

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.

Lovely, Nostagic, Charming - Cinema Paradiso review by ll

Beautifully filmed, wonderful music in 5.1 DTS surround sound. A number of well portrayed characters.

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.

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.

A different ending - Cinema Paradiso review by JM

This is a superb film, rightly known as one of the top 100 movies ever made. I last borrowed it in 2014 from cinema paradiso, and I am sure that this is a different version. There have been at least three versions, and I suppose in that time the original DVD has been replaced.

Let me explain: as I remember it, the film comes full circle with Salvatore meeting Elena - his first love - as a successful middle age man. I remember a scene in his car when they re-kindle their love affair. This surely is the whole point of the film - this refinding of his true love at last? Without that scene, the ending is weaker.

I understand the original full version was too long and not a box office success, whereas this version is more succinct. However, this romantic kernel is now missing but was powerful in the original and proved a real tear jerker when you think of the wasted years. A clue for what should have been is voiced by his mother. She asks when is he going to find a woman who loves you - each time I call it's a different girl and I can tell she doesn't really love you. This scene is evidence that the closer of the full circle was intended, but is now missing.

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.