[Intro] If you like Cinema Paradiso, you will surely like this one too -- it's twice longer and twice warmer...haha. In 6 hours, it epically depicts the youth of one generation spaning 37 years (1966 -- 2003), with a very natural touch and magnificent sparks of humanity. There is also a great deal of interaction of individuals with the contemporary history of Italy. After watching it, I start to believe that we live our lives to experience the good and the warm moments, and reciprocity of tenderness is the means to the redemption of individual and society. Don't be scared off by the length -- six hours is quite extraordinary but it well worths the while and I am sure you will watch to the end effortlessly.
[Character Commentary]
Madio - Your grace that doesn't belong to this world
In fact, the first protagonist of the whole film should be Nikolai. But the pen was written by Madio. He is like a shooting star, strong, burning, everyone is burning, but they can't help but love him and forget him. Madio's feelings are deeper than anyone else's, he's more sensitive than anyone else, he has a sense of justice than anyone else, but he also has a stronger sense of distance than anyone else. His feelings are silent and incapable of words. He is envious but also afraid to escape from the warmth, so the feelings turn into guilt, and he has been hurting himself. Zoe was the first person he was willing to approach, but was caught right under his nose, and he couldn't do anything about it. It hit him hard and made him exile himself, deliberately accomplishing nothing, always being alone, even erasing himself, telling Medari that his name was Nikolai. He is too harsh on himself, and always thinks that he can't give love to others, only constant hurt. His father died without seeing the last face, to his sister's anger, to disappointing Medari, to his mother's disappointment and tolerance. It doesn't matter. Sigh, he just needs a little more courage to see that everyone loves him. If, if, Medari answered that call. . .
Nicholas - the perfect character in the world
Nikolai is gentle, compassionate and not extreme. Young and unrestrained, as time goes by, it shows more mature and gentle brilliance. Like Madio, he has a sense of love and justice. But he is naturally easy to get along with people, has affinity, moves forward and retreats appropriately, and can also draw strength from family and friendship. He didn't suffer from loneliness, and although he also went to wander for Zuozhen's affairs, it was not out of deep self-blame, but an attempt to dilute the pain with the beauty and breadth of the world. The only time that confused and distressed him in the soul was the accident of Madio and Julia, which made him give up the original liberalism and absolute respect for the choice of the one he loved, and move towards a more positive way of redemption with tenderness. the way. He was a great family, a great friend, and it was his warm connection that kept the world running and life moving forward peacefully and movingly. He does not have Madio's profound, intolerant purity, and therefore does not have Madio's painful, insoluble confusion. His tenderness also helped him realize his pursuit of justice. Maybe everyone loves Madio, but everyone wants a Nicola in their life.
Zuozhen - The ideal girl
Zuozhen is very beautiful. Nikolai saw her and decided that she was not crazy, because she had elf eyes. The appearance of Zuozhen completely changed the life trajectories of the two brothers. Zuozhen's life was completely changed by these two brothers - after many years, Madio and Nicola finally realized her redemption. And Zuozhen once again led Nikolai to find Medari and Anzu. This is really the most beautiful arrangement in the reincarnation of Providence. Zojin's sign language (a chi) next to the record player and her clear and innocent eyes are impressive.
Medari - The ideal woman with
untamed curly hair and a radiant smile. Medari is not particularly beautiful, but her warm, romantic and intellectual temperament makes people unable to look away. She is a very smart woman, serious about love, but also free and easy. She faced her own feelings squarely, fought for but not demanding, and chose to face them positively when they lost. Madio and Nicola in this world will love Zoe when they are 20, and they will love Midari when they are 30.
Julia - the inexplicable restless soul
Julia, a girl with spirituality and rebellious temperament. Met Nikolai, such a gentle and good man, but did not understand her music and never asked her to play the piano for him. So she sealed up the piano and stopped playing. Nicola is doing what she loves, and her life is just taking care of children. She couldn't find a way to express herself, but her sensual and rich temperament, her inner restlessness, gradually struggled out, gradually escaping from the family that bound her. Nikolai loved her spirituality, but couldn't let her shine. She had loved Nikolai, but their love would extinguish the fire inside her. Finally she ran away, almost like someone trapped in a dark tunnel rushing towards the sky, facing Nikolai's obstruction, she did not turn back, this was her redemption for herself. The most touching thing was an old newspaper clipping she sent to her daughter, "Your parents once truly loved each other."
[Film Review] The meaning of life is to experience those warm moments.
The biggest strength of this movie is the realism. In 6 hours spanning 37 years, despite the ups and downs and the changes in life, there is no hardship. After reading it, I feel that these people seem to be alive in my life, and everyone is so real and complete. This is probably why I wanted to write a film review, but I wrote a character review first.
If I can sum up this picture of life in one sentence, the most appropriate one is Yu Hua's book title "A Journey of Warmth and Mixed Feelings". I don't know if it is the real laughter and tears, or the impermanence and the beautiful reincarnation that move people's hearts? Is it the weight of time that has smeared our faces, or is it the eternal gleam of a personal star of revelation? I just felt a warmth creeping in. There are tears to fall, but not sadness.
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