Movie Review: Cinema Paradiso (1988)
"A Timeless Film for People Who Love Cinema"
āļøāļøāļøāļø 4/5
Director: Giuseppe Tornatore
Writers: Giuseppe Tornatore, Vanna Paoli, Richard Epcar
Starring: Philippe Noiret, Jacques Perrin, Marco Leonardi, Salvatore Cascio, Agnese Nano, Antonella Attili, Enzo Cannavale, Isa Danieli, Leo Gullotta, Pupella Maggio
Giuseppe Tornatoreās āCinema Paradisoā is exceptionally heartfelt and truly depicts the wonders of movies. It follows the coming-of-age story of Salvatore āTotoā, a local boy from Giancaldo, Sicily, Italy and how he developed his love for films at a young age under the influence of Alfredo, a projectionist at Cinema Paradiso. Later on, Toto learned the process of creating that work of art which is called āfilm-makingā, cultivated his passion and became successful in his profession as a film director.
Cinema Paradiso is a story of love, friendship, family and oneās pursuit of oneās dreams. The growing platonic relationship between a mentor and a mentee, a local boy and his love for his natal home and the budding interest that eventually grew as a love for films. The characters were exquisitely portrayed by the actors as if it were all naturalāfrom the young and heedless Toto to the charming adolescent Salvatore and eventually the big-shot director that he became, Totoās mother, Alfredo, and other characters; their acting was truly rich.
This movie made me feel a lot of emotions and I even found myself shedding a tear or two. Some scenes were sentimental such as when Salvatore came back to Giancaldo as an adult to attend Alfredoās funeral. There was a feeling of nostalgiaāfor childhood, for youth, feelings, moments, people and places that are now just mere memories. It made me realize how oneās decisions and choices can make a great impact in our life and can alter our path anytime. So whatever we decide to pursue later on in life, we should make sure that we love it and we enjoy doing it. Sometimes, when we are in the path of chasing our dreams, we tend to sacrifice some things and lose some people along the way. Thatās okay, itās all part of life. We should accept the fact that people come and go and despite that, life should continue to go on because it does not stop for anyone. It is amazing how works of art such as films can make us feel a surge of emotions. Personally, something I am thankful to have experienced the magic of cinema in my life. All in all, this is a beautiful movie. A must watch especially for movie connoisseurs, filmmakers, film enthusiast, film-buffs and lovers of the arts.
