2019 Blind Spot Series: Cinema Paradiso

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What I knew going in: Honestly, nothing.

 Toto (Salvatore Cascio as a child, Marco Leonardi as a teen, and Jacques Perrin as an adult) reflects on his time growing up in Sicily and falling in love with the world of film. Now, he's a famous director, but back then we follow his friendship with local projectionist Alfredo (Philippe Noiret) and how he shaped his life forever.

 This was another title that I dropped on my Blind Spot list after a lot of recommendations. This is the film for people who love film, and I'm so glad I went for it even without knowing a lot about it because it made me so teary eyed with its beauty. 

 Of the Toto's we follow, the child version is my favorite. I thought his relationship with Alfredo was so pure and director Giuseppe Tornatore really brought the love for the cinema home. I loved all the scenes of everyone just enjoying a film, or getting mad when they have to cut out the steamier moments because the priests request it. They made going to the theater look like going to Disney World.

 This film is from 1988 but it feels much older, and it did drag a bit towards the middle when Toto was a teenager but I enjoyed it so much. You can tell they dubbed over some of the actors (Noiret in particular was speaking his native French, and was dubbed in Italian) The ending is honestly perfect. One of the best I've ever seen from any film.

 Recommended: Yes

 Grade: A

 Memorable Quote: "Whatever you end up doing, love it." - Alfredo (Philippe Noiret)

Comments

  1. ⚡️ A R ⚡️ (@abigailratchford)February 9, 2019 at 6:53 AM

    Awesome review Brittani

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kelli Berglund (@kelliberglund)February 9, 2019 at 12:03 PM

    Great review Brittani

    ReplyDelete
  3. Victoria JusticeFebruary 9, 2019 at 12:18 PM

    Nice job

    ReplyDelete
  4. DrewFebruary 9, 2019 at 12:38 PM

    This movie has my heart. It's just beautiful, and such an incredible ode to the power of film and friendship. And Noiret is just incredible. Heartstrings galore. So glad you could scratch this off a blind spot list!

    ReplyDelete
  5. thevoid99February 9, 2019 at 6:10 PM

    I love this film. It's truly one of the best films ever made and I was so fortunate to see it in the theater again a few years ago. It's a gem for the ages.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 9, 2019 at 10:57 PM

      Oh that would've been lovely. I would jump at the chance to see this on the big screen.

      Delete
  6. joel65913February 9, 2019 at 9:47 PM

    It also took me a long time to catch up with this film but I found it a lovely, lyrical film. Suffused with a powerful sense of nostalgia it really is a perfect movie for a film lover.

    ReplyDelete
  7. DellFebruary 10, 2019 at 5:23 PM

    I watched this as a Blind Spot a little while back and I agree, it's a really lovely film. Love what you said about Toto's relationship with Alfredo. That was wonderfully sweet, but never in a way that becomes unbearable. Very well done movie.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Often Off TopicFebruary 12, 2019 at 4:03 AM

    Ahh this movie sounds lovely! It's one I've always known by name but had no idea what it was actually about. I think you're just going to end up writing my 2020 list for me, haha.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 12, 2019 at 6:47 AM

      lol I actually have already started saving titles for my 2020 list. Otherwise I'll forget.

      Delete
  9. GeektellerFebruary 19, 2019 at 6:04 AM

    Great review! I loved it, too, and I will always associate it with an ex boyfriend who was a movie fanatic and decided to show me this specific film first because he loved it that much! :) And yes, it was made 1988? I would have said 60s or 70s

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 19, 2019 at 6:52 AM

      It seems so much older, I was surprised by the date.

      Delete
  10. Sonia CercaMarch 2, 2019 at 3:33 PM

    I'm glad you loved this as it is one of my favourite Italian movies. Child Toto was my favourite too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMarch 2, 2019 at 10:12 PM

      I'm glad I did too! Though it's easy to love something from Italy, it looks so beautiful. lol

      Delete

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