Not a false note is struck among the sunkissed Sicilian locations, gentle, humorous performances, and tinkling soundtrack.
Cinema Paradiso (1989)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted: 33
Fresh: 30
Rotten:3
Average Rating: 7.9/10
Runtime: 2 hrs 56 mins
Genre: Foreign Films
Synopsis: A nostalgic look at a young boy's coming-of-age in postwar Italy and his fascination with a small local cinema, CINEMA PARADISO from director Giuseppe Tornatore is a famed and beloved classic.... A nostalgic look at a young boy's coming-of-age in postwar Italy and his fascination with a small local cinema, CINEMA PARADISO from director Giuseppe Tornatore is a famed and beloved classic. "Alfredo is dying." Those words jolt the successful filmmaker Salvatore (played as a child by Salvatore Cascio, as a teen by Marco Leonardi, and as an adult by Jacques Perrin), into contemplating his childhood and the hours he spent in the projection booth of his adored local movie theater, Cinema Paradiso. Alfredo (Philippe Noiret), owner of the moviehouse, befriended and encouraged young Salvatore, known as "Toto" as he grew up in his small Sicilian home town, ravaged by the horrors of the war. The cinema offered escape and fantasy to the townspeople, including Toto's mother, a grieving war widow. In one breathtaking scene a popular comedy is projected onto the walls of the town square and the entire town glows in the dreamy light of projected celluloid, washing away the harsh realities of poverty and grief. As Toto grows to manhood, his friendship with his mentor deepens. With the love and guidance of the aging man, Toto navigates the trials of first love and builds on his ever-growing passion for the cinema. Ultimately, it is Alfredo who convinces Toto to leave his village to pursue his dreams of becoming a director. But as Salvatore thinks back on his youthful romances and his innocent love of movies, he comes to realize that perhaps his success has come at a very high price. A beautifully filmed tribute to the power of movies that captivated an entire generation of filmgoers, CINEMA PARADISO is an unforgettable masterpiece. [More]
Starring: Antonella Attili, Salvatore Cascio, Marco Leonardi, Jacques Perrin
Starring: Antonella Attili, Salvatore Cascio, Marco Leonardi, Jacques Perrin, Pupella Maggio, Philippe Noiret, Leopoldo Trieste, Isa Danieli, Leo Gullotta
Director: Giuseppe Tornatore
Director: Giuseppe Tornatore
Screenwriter: Giuseppe Tornatore, Peter Fernandez
Producer: Franco Cristaldi
Composer: Ennio Morricone
Studio: Miramax Films
Reviews for Cinema Paradiso
Cinema Paradiso is for anyone who loves the movies. And Tornatore's final montage of glorious movie images reaffirms the power and magic of cinema.
Walking a fine line between genuinely emotional and overly sentimental, it evokes the magic of moviegoing in post-WWII Italy through the intimate bond between a young boy and his mentor-projectionist, splendidly played by Philippe Noiret.
This article compares the original (1989) with then new version released in 2002. I recommend the '89, but not the new one.
If too much charm can kill, this emotionally manipulative nostalgic love letter to cinema directed and written by the 32-year-old Giuseppe Tornatore is a killer.
an enchanting, sweeping look at post-WWII life, real and reel. It's set mostly in a small Italian village, but the characters, situations and changes it depicts are universal.
Schmaltzy and soft, but still hard to resist, especially if you can't imagine your life without the movies.
Cinema Paradiso is laden with wonderful moments and ideas. It’s quite simply one of the most beautifully romantic films ever made.
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