La Vie est belle

There’s only one word for this: beauty. After reading some reviews whose authors were clearly incapable of understanding the film, I am happy that someone above gave me the opportunity to truly enjoy it. (15/12/2008)

Robert Benigni is basically a better director than he is actor. While from his position as director he managed to imprint a very positive and “humanist" mood, he fails as an actor so much that, while being the only downside, he is a massive drawback for the movie. His Guido is supposed to be a pleasantly talkative, optimistic dreamer, but in the end he is just one of those completely unbearable people who can’t keep his mouth shut even for one moment. Everything else about this movie is excellent, from the screenplay, through the technical aspects to the supporting actors... and he keeps going on and on. (30/01/2007)

An expertly crafted Italian masterpiece, which I will never appreciate. At the beginning, I was given a romantic comedy and since I watched the movie without knowing the premise, I couldn't be prepared for such a drastic disruption of the established atmosphere. I would accept a complete change of storytelling style and transformation into a war drama, but the attempt to lighten the later chilling moments only made me more nervous in most cases. Then even the most famous scene of the whole film loses its power. Objectively speaking, Benigni knows what he is doing, the concept and the entire devised plot are worth it, but as his audience, I don't feel connected. (04/02/2006)

Navýsost nerealistický, ale příjemně sentimentální, hluboce lidský snímek o dětství prožívaném v nelidsky kruté době. Scénář je chytře postaven na vzpomínkách malého chlapce. Jak známo, má lidský mozek jedinečnou léčebnou schopnost odfiltrovat z naší paměti to nepříjemné, takže i takto zidealizovaná podoba minulosti je přijatelná a má své opodstatnění. Díky tomu je možné i živoření Židů v koncentráku podat jako hrabalovsky pábitelskou hru a snít spolu s hlavním hrdinou. Celkový dojem 85 %. Benigni se překonal jako herec, scénárista i režisér. (14/07/2008)

A charming artistic style, typically European locations, a pleasant cast, remarkable music, all of this is simply wonderful. In terms of contents, however, Roberto Benigni is not so confident. Nonetheless, this is one of the gems of European cinema. (25/03/2005)

The experience of a lifetime. If all films carried messages and emotions like this one, the civilised world could be truly beautiful, joyful and free of ugly ethical crimes. Because if, instead of bloody slaughter and advocacy of violence, we only watched Roberto Benigni singing and playing with his unsuspecting son in a concentration camp, we could never come up with the wrong ideas. Okay, it would certainly get boring soon, but for once it's simply an indescribable viewer's ecstasy. Thanks Roberto! 100% (24/04/2011)

Un film magnifique, émouvant, charmant et légèrement comique, dans lequel Roberto Benigni offre la meilleure performance de sa carrière. Un doublage tchèque étonnamment excellent. (24/03/2011)

This is a film that shows a person who can love incredibly, purely, and without being evil. It may be somewhat naive, but at the same time, it's a beautiful portrayal of what essentially is the ideal of love for a child and for another human being. Something that virtually none of us can do. It’s so beautiful that, in contrast to the events, it sends shivers down your spine. (08/05/2017)