(1988)
directed by Giuseppe Tornatore
‘‘Cinema Paradiso’’ is a heartwarming gem of a movie about life in 1940s Sicily. When Salvatore, a successful film director, learns of the death of his friend Alfredo, he recalls his childhood in the village of Giancaldo. Salvatore, then nicknamed Toto, was befriended by Alfredo, the projectionist at the “Cinema Paradiso,” the town’s only movie theater.
Toto especially enjoys hanging out in the projection booth when Alfredo is screening films for Father Adelfio, the local film censor. Whenever a movie kiss appears on screen, Father Aldelfio rings a bell and Alfredo carefully removes the offending scene. As a result, nobody in Giancaldo ever sees a movie kiss except Toto, Alfredo, and Father Adelfio.
“Cinema Paradiso’’ recalls the history of cinema with clips from old movies. You will see movie clips from movies directed by Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Fritz Lang, Jean Renoir, and John Ford. The flammability of acetate film stock also plays an important role in ‘‘Cinema Paradiso.” This charming movie recalls a golden age of cinema, the sights and sounds of old movie projectors, and the picturesque movie theaters of the past.
All movies are “magical” in the sense that the moving images create the illusion that we are witnessing actual events. We sit back in our chairs and the movie allows us to experience other lives, other joys, other sorrows. When we exit the theater, we step right back into our own lives. Alfredo explains it this way, “Life isn’t like it is in the movies. Life is harder.’’ This simple, heartwarming movie leaves a warm glow in its wake. Your life is gentler, your heart is softer, and you can’t help but remember all those movie kisses!