As I’m a movie blogger it won’t be a shock to find out that I love movies, but it might be sometimes difficult to explain exactly what that feeling is to someone who doesn’t love them as much. I now no longer need to find words for it, I just point to this film. If you don’t understand that love after watching this then I’m sure you will never get it.
Nuovo Cinema Paradiso tells the story of Toto, a young boy who grows up being obsessed by movies. The small town he lives in only has one cinema (Cinema Paradiso) and the whole town seems to go to the movies all the time. Toto constantly tries to learn everything he can from the projectionist Alfredo and get pieces of film so he can look at them at home. As he grows up he gets to know Alfredo better and the two spend a lot of time together allowing Toto to get the hang of operating a projector. A lot happens in his life, but it all is connected to film, even a girl he falls in love with.
Nuovo Cinema Paradiso is a long movie, but it could have been even two hours longer and I still would not have minded. I love the way it paints the picture of a post World War 2 town where everyone goes to the cinema. The church decides which parts of movies need to be cut (which is basically all the kissing) and once the movie is fit for release both kids and adults enjoy looking at the big screen. As you are watching this you get a feeling of how this cinema brings people together and bonds them. It’s an era where there still is no television competing for attention and the big screen seems to have lots more magic than it does now. This movie has a love story, but in itself the movie is a love story about movies and the effect it can have on those who watch it.
Nuovo Cinema Paradiso plays with your emotions as it looks at relationships through various decades. It manages to transform the town and the people living in it as they get older. After watching it I had the feeling that I knew what kind of life Toto lived. This movie played with my heart-strings and because of that it’s a movie I love and will be revisiting a lot in the future. Go see it if you haven’t done so yet.
Indeed!!
10/10 is the only score this film CAN get. It is a masterpiece and a tru tear jerker. I am so happy you enjoyed it matey
Yeah, I wouldn’t be able to score it any lower if I tried to find something. It wowed me and that’s always an instant 10!
I like this film, although can’t help but think that it plays a little too well to cinema lovers by – as you point out – playing with your emotions, with cinema love after cinema love. Lots of nostalgia and cutsey kid running around… need to dig out the delux edition, but also need to carve out the best part of a day to watch it 😉
The film Valentín is similar film that you may want to check out if Paradiso is a 10/10.
Ooh, never heard of Valentin, but if it’s similair to this I will go and check it out as I couldn’t get enough of this!
I loved this film; Toto is just brilliant, and his relationship with Alfonso, which could have been a bit weird, is spot on. The Score by Ennio Morricone is fantastic as well. Definitely time I dug out the deluxe edition.
Yeah, that relationship could have turned out weird, but it was handled in a great way.
I really really want to see this movie. I hope I could see it soon.
You should Andina, as you can see from the comments it gets lots of love!
One of the finest movies ever made. I didn’t think it’d live up to the hype…but it does. I’ve never watched the Director’s Cut since I heard it makes the film different and I’d rather just love the Theatrical. Does anyone have any experience with both cuts? I’m glad you loved this just as much as I do.
When I ordered it I think they only had the Director’s Cut, so that’s the one I watched. Don’t know what’s different with that version though.
This is a real treat. What a great film and so deserving of top marks. It truly captures the magic of cinema through a touching, funny, tragic and all things in between story.
Yeah, it has such a great range of emotions on all kind of levels that I think your heart has to be very cold if someone does not fall in love with this movie 😉
I agree – this film is a masterpiece. It should be essential watching for anybody claiming to love film.
Hear hear!
This movie is so magical… a love story to film lovers all over and I love, love the score! “…it could have been even two hours longer and I still would not have minded.” YES I’m with you. I love all the 3 actors playing Toto, though the youngest one is the most adorable one of course. Plus that ending of the kisses on screen is just wonderful!
Nice to see you love it as much as well Ruth. Are you already back from your holiday?
whate a great movie… i cant forgot it never ever…
I can understand it, amazing movie!