There have been few movies released this year that have touched me like Roberto Begnini’s Life is Beautiful. This is a very poignant movie that encompasses both humor with the very touching and dramatic events of World War II.

    The character of Guido, played by Begnini, always seems to accidentally find himself in the presence of the beautiful schoolteacher Dora. As the movie further develops, the audience views Guido’s perseverance in winning the heart of Dora. He even goes as far as to impersonate an inspector from Rome, just so that he can be in the presence of Dora.

    When Guido realizes that Dora is to be married he goes to all lengths to win her heart, and is successful. At this point in the movie Guido takes Dora back to his uncle’s house, where a brilliant transition is made, and the audience is transported into the future lives of Guido and Dora. It is here that the audience is introduced to Dora and Guido’s son Joshua. The love the two have for their son is quite visible, and will only become more apparent as the movie progresses.

    Guido has opened a bookstore in town. His son comes with him to the bookstore, and as they pass through town Joshua asks why there are no Jews in the stores they pass on their way to the bookstore. Guido does not reveal the true reason, which is only the beginning of a large illusion that Guido will create latter in the movie.

    Eventually, Guido, his uncle, and Joshua are taken away to a concentration camp because they are Jewish. Dora, who is not Jewish, insists on being let aboard the train bound for the concentration camp. It is at this point that Guido’s illusion is created. Guido tells his son that he is taking him on a very special trip for his birthday. In fact he says his father did the same thing for him when he was a little boy.

    When they arrive at the concentration camp, Guido tells Joshua that what is occurring is a game. He tells Joshua that they must earn 1,000 points to win the prize, an actual tank.

    What is seen in this movie is the true love of a father. Guido’s sacrifice was so great that it protected his son from the atrocities committed against the Jews during the war. Guido’s act of love was what made this movie so poignant and so memorable.