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DVD Il Postino
Italian star and filmmaker Massimo Troisi was dying of heart failure even before this film, his dream project, began production, and he prevailed upon British director Michael Radford (White Mischief) to see him and the film through to the end. (The 40-year-old Troisi, a beloved comic actor in Italy, died the day production wrapped.) Based on true events, Troisi plays a shy postman who strikes up an unlikely friendship with exiled Chilean poet Pablo Neruda (Philippe Noiret). Through Neruda's example and tutelage, the hero learns to think of his Italian fishing village in lyrical terms, as well as how to talk to women and even find the strength to take his political stands. Sweet as it is, the film finally pushes beyond its charming borders to become an even more complex and poignant story about the pain of growing into one's destiny. --Tom Keogh
Simplicity elevates tale of poetry, love, and devotion
"Il Postino," by British director Michael Radford, provides a powerful reminder that even in this age of special effects and mega-buck blockbusters, the key to any good film is a good story. The rest is all window-dressing -- which can be entertaining, but a movie is never elevated to greatness by window dressing.
This movie, set in the early 1950s, starts with an incredibly basic "fish out of water" premise, and slightly tweaks it. Our hero, Mario Ruoppolo (Massimo Troisi, who may have the most soulful eyes of the 90s), is a fish very much of the waters of his small, rustic Italian island. The fish out of water is the famous poet Pablo Neruda (Philippe Noiret), exiled from Chile. Mario is unemployed, so he takes the low-wage job of postman for the famed Neruda, who lives with his gorgeous wife in a picturesque, isolated villa.
Mario is naturally star-struck by this celebrity who can move thousands with his words. Mario is a quiet, uneducated man living among quiet, uneducated islanders (the only jobs seem to be fishing and serving wine to the fishermen). And yet Mario has a romantic soul and an inquisitive mind, and soon his honest, naive questions have struck a chord in Pablo's heart. The poet takes Mario under his wing, teaching him the basics of poetry.
This is great timing for Mario, for he is struck by the thunderbolt of love when he sees the beyond-beautiful Beatrice Russo (Maria Grazia Cucinotta -- you will be thunderstruck when you see this beauty). Mario's dumbstruck awe is hilarious during a foosball game with this angel. But taught by Pablo, can he fail to win Beatrice's heart?
But this is Italy, a land of sorrows, and while Mario may get the girl, he loses Pablo. The political winds change, and Neruda returns to Chile. His departure injects a melancholy into Mario's life, but Mario now has the craft to give voice to all his ideas of love and justice. Soon, Mario is taking a stand not just for his own emotional well-being, but for the political future of the island and its people.
An emotional ending provides many surprises, and a few tears.
This is a beautifully shot movie, but uses a realistic eye. This is not a glossy coffee-table book of a movie like "Under the Tuscan Sun," which pummels you into acknowledging that Tuscany is gorgeous. Rather, "Il Postino" is shot in such a way as to remind you of the beauty we see in our everyday life, including the rush of the waves over the pebbles, or the unadorned view of stars in the Italian sky. Cinematographer Franco Di Giacomo outdid himself here.
The realistic beauty of this Italian island is almost topped by the understated soundtrack, which relies heavily on traditional Italian instruments like the accordion. Isn't it amazing how the accordion gets so little respect in the United States, and yet it often provides the perfect tone for movies? While this isn't a hyper-witty soundtrack like "Swingers" or "Pulp Fiction," it is safe to say that this soundtrack is one of the most effective in recent years.
As you can tell, I am a huge fan of this movie. It is very political for a "romantic comedy," and don't go in expecting a European attempt at a Meg Ryan film. "Il Postino" tells a wonderful story of simple people living their lives in a simple, earnest way. It will irresistably melt your heart.
a pleasant movie
Per me, e' stato un piacere.
For those that don't know, this movie won an academy award. However, I bought the DVD also to finish off learning a few parts to the musical score (classical guitar version).
The DVD & Music create a Good story about what happens when one follows a dream.
"Your smile spreads like a butterfly"
"Il Postino" is a lovely, tender story about Mario, a poor Italian fisherman who becomes a postman. His job is to deliver mail to the famous (and real) poet, Pablo Neruda, who has been exiled to this island from Chile, because of his Communist beliefs. The kindly poet opens a new world of words for the postman; they become friends, and with Neruda's help, Mario wins the most prettiest girl in the village. Life is beautiful, until a letter arrives saying Neruda may return to Chile, forever.
"Il Postino" is usually described as a romantic comedy, but I would call it a poignant drama, focusing on the changes in Mario's life after he meets and befriends the poet. The film is dedicated to Massimo Troisi who plays Mario. Making this movie was his dream, even though he was ill, and, in fact, he died only hours after filming was completed. He gives a wonderful performance as the sensitive young man who grows to appreciate the beauty around him and the power of words. The ending is quite surprising and touching. The movie was nominated for five Academy Awards. It is in Italian with English subtitles.
Giuseppe Tornatore's beautiful 1988 film about a little boy's love affair with the movies deservedly won an Oscar for Best Foreign Film and a Special Jury Prize at Cannes. Philippe Noiret plays a grizzled old projectionist who takes pride in his presentation of screen dreams for a town still recovering from World War II. When a child (Jacques Perrin) demonstrates fascination not only for movies but also for the process of showing them to an audience, a lifelong friendship is struck. This isn't just one of those films for people who are already in love with the cinema. But if you are one of those folks, the emotional resonance between the action in Tornatore's world and the images on Noiret's screen will seem all the greater--and the finale all the more powerful. --Tom KeoghMore Info about this DVD Actor(s): Enzo Cannavale - Philippe Noiret Director(s): Giuseppe Tornatore DVD Release Date: Released the 18 February 2003 Usually ships in 24 hours
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Italy's rubber-faced funnyman Roberto Benigni accomplishes the impossible in his World War II comedy Life Is Beautiful: he shapes a simultaneously hilarious and haunting comedy out of the tragedy of the Holocaust. An international sensation and the most successful foreign language film in U.S. history, the picture also earned director-cowriter-star Benigni Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Actor. He plays the Jewish country boy Guido, a madcap romantic in Mussolini's Italy who wins the heart of his sweetheart (Benigni's real-life sweetie, Nicoletta Braschi) and raises a darling son (the adorable Giorgio Cantarini) in the shadow of fascism. When the Nazis ship the men off to a concentration camp in the waning days of the war, Guido is determined to shelter his... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Nicoletta Braschi DVD Release Date: Released the 09 November 1999 Usually ships in 24 hours
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I enjoyed Ciao, Professore! very much. It was poignant, charming, and humorous. Coming from an Italian background, I have recommended it to family and friends, especially Italians! More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Paolo Villaggio - Isa Danieli Director(s): Lina Wertmüller DVD Release Date: Released the 13 January 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
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Italy's magical fantasy of midlife crisis and rebirth in Venice, the city of lovers, swept the Italian film awards and charmed all of Europe. Director Silvio Soldini turns the tourist mecca of piazzas, canals, and stone bridges into a quaint little village out of time and fills the film with the charm of the city and the gentle quirks of his delightful cast. Licia Maglietta is winning as Rosalba, the frustrated and ignored middle-aged mom who impulsively takes a vacation from her family. She hitchhikes to Venice and falls for lonely, suicidal Icelandic waiter-poet Bruno Ganz (whose soulful, sad eyes recall his fallen angel from Wings of Desire), blossoming as she rediscovers her smile and joy for life. Sweetly sexy and beautifully shot, this story of second chances may not be... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Licia Maglietta - Bruno Ganz Director(s): Silvio Soldini DVD Release Date: Released the 26 March 2002 Usually ships in 24 hours
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When 12-year-old Renato, riding through his small Italian town on his new bicycle, sees the voluptuous Malèna, little does he know he's launching on an infatuation that will carry him through the tumultuous days of World War II. Malèna begins as an enraptured depiction of Renato's adolescent mind--the way he stares, hypnotized, at Malèna's garters pressing through the material of her tight skirt, or his frustrated rebellion against the indignity of wearing short pants--but soon transforms into a portrait of small-town prejudice. Malèna's looks spark lust and envy in the townspeople; when her husband dies in combat, the gossip only intensifies, to the point that Malèna is dragged into court to defend herself against accusations of adultery. When... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Monica Bellucci - Giuseppe Sulfaro Director(s): Giuseppe Tornatore DVD Release Date: Released the 10 July 2001 Usually ships in 24 hours
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