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Robert Benigni Film Analysis

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As human beings, we tend to know and discover what life really is. One thing I know, each one of us has his/her own definition of the word “life” such as this movie directed, starred and created by him, Robert Benigni. This is a story of some of the horrors of the Holocaust which includes a unique, almost lighthearted element, something beyond the material reality that on its face is so horrible. Benigni 's willingness to use comedy to underscore the evils of fascism is undoubtedly shocking, but it is extremely effective in conveying Benigni 's firm belief that beauty and light can be found even in the most horrible of places. In 1939, Jewish-Italian Guido Orefice comes into Arezzo, Italy, ultimately to open a book store. In the meantime, he will work as a waiter …show more content…

This is mainly because the first hour or so is a big set up for the main plot. Some of the best moments that follow are echoes of The Great Dictator, in which Chaplin ridiculed fascism. Unfortunately, the worst moments reminded me of a justly forgotten Jerry Lewis comedy from 1972, The Day the Clown Cried, about a clown whose job was to entertain Jewish children on their way to the gas chambers. I can well understand why anyone might be offended by Benigni 's portrait of a concentration camp. The brutality, racism and hopelessness are all underplayed. The prisoners don 't even look very underfed. But it 's all part of Benigni 's grand design. He has to soften the realities of the concentration camp slightly, or there could be no laughter. Sophisticated audiences will realize that Benigni - like his hero - is playing an elaborate game with us. He is asking us to go along with him, and suspend our

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