Film Review: Cinema Paradiso

Director: Giuseppe Tornatore

A 1988 Italian film which was recently re-mastered and re-released to celebrate its 25th anniversary, an ode to cinema itself as one young boy becomes enchanted by his local cinema and the art of projection. It swept the cinema world upon its release with critical acclaim as well as the award for Best Foreign Language film at the Golden Globes and the Oscars.

Alfredo with a young Toto in the projection room

You'd imagine if a film was made that would be a celebration of the joy of the cinema it would be made by the Americans, but this sweet drama shares one boys passion as he grows up with films very much the centre of his universe. The young boy Toto (Salvatore Cascio) slowly manages to befriend the local cinema's projectionist Alfredo (Philippe Noiret) and is taught how to work the projection equipment, all whilst watching the latest films of the 50's with the rest of the town.

The film moves at a reasonably swift place after starting near the end and looking back to Toto as a young boy as he discovers the local cinema that shares its venue with the church. At first Toto is a mischievous young boy who continually gets into trouble and annoys the adults around him, but his behaviour calms and this instantly makes him more likeable not just to the characters in the film but the audience as well. From there we closely follow the adolescent life of Toto and his other love.

An older Toto make a film of his own

Philippe Noiret is excellent as the mentor Alfredo who takes Toto under his guidance to teach him how to be a projectionist but also to guide him on his life, how to make the most of his career which was incredibly sweet to watch. The relationship the two have when Toto is an adolescent is the true beauty behind this film that just keeps giving when we re-visit Toto as an adult near the end of the movie. The film has many light-hearted and funny moments usually with various characters from around the village whilst watching the censored movies but the final scene with the montage was truly heart-warming.

3.5/4 Sweet and funny drama