Life Is Beautiful by Roberto Benignini

The Film ‘Life is Beautiful’ is set between 1939 and 1944 in Italy, which is the time span where WWII was at its worst. The story focuses on main character Guido (played by creator and director Roberto Benigni) and his efforts in wooing the beautiful Dora. Although WWII may be a very touchy subject, Benigni approaches this story with humour.

Guido and Dora first meet by fortunate circumstances when Dora falls out of a building and into Guido’s arms. Guido pretends he is a prince and flatters Dora by calling her ‘Princess’. Their next meeting is similar, but this time Guido nearly runs Dora over with his bike. Guido soon discovers that Dora likes the unsuspecting meetings and he realises he needs to continue it in attempt to win her love. Although she is engaged to be married, Guido wins Dora over with his quirkiness and humour. This first half of the movie, the relationship between Dora and Guido develops from the fantasy Guido makes up in their first meeting (the prince and princess story). I think Guido makes up this story because in terms of money he is lower class compared to Dora. The only thing Guido has is his humour, wit and personality to win his dream woman over. This is where the theme of escape comes out. Guido uses this story to escape from the fact that Dora may be too good or high class for him. Nevertheless Dora leaves her fiancé, which is another form of escape in itself. Guido helped Dora escape from a potentially unloving marriage that Dora may have got herself into.

As we enter the second half of the movie we discover that Dora and Guido have married, and now have a son called Joshua, who is four years old. WWII is well underway by this time, and soon after we see that the German Army has invaded Italy and is sending Jewish families to a labour camp. Although Dora is not Jewish, she demands to be with her family, and boards the train that is heading for the labour camp. This day is Joshua’s birthday, and he is oblivious to the war, suffering...