“Nobody said it. This time it’s all me. Life isn’t like in the movies. Life... is much harder.”

I don’t know where to even begin with a watch like this. I have never encountered another film that has ever truly embodied the magic of cinema anywhere near as well as Cinema Paradiso.

I link some of the best memories of my life to theater experiences. There is something otherworldly about being in a packed theater, surrounded by strangers, all just as excited as you are to be there. I’ve always been a firm believer that film is the most universal and most unifying of art forms. Cinema Paradiso is a true testament to that notion. Decades over the course of this story, we’re with our protagonist from childhood all the way into late adulthood, and no matter where we land the Paradiso remains the congregation point of the town. The people gather, they celebrate, they cry, they fill the theater with their laughter. They are unified in their experience and so, for just a moment, they are unified as a whole, forming a collective unit for however long they’re together. Movies are just straight up magic. I’ve said that twice now but I mean it from the bottom of my heart.

I’m absolutely enamored with the story here. Nothing felt too extreme or unrealistic or unnecessary. Every moment plays such a crucial role and is grounded in a beautiful space in between the comforting sadness of nostalgia and the exhilarating joy of finding your life’s ion. I’m so thrilled that I was able to see the director’s cut for my first watch. I think it really made the overall experience that much more enjoyable. 

I am not even a little bit kidding when I say that I cried for the entire opening credits because I became so overwhelmed by how beautiful the score was. Honestly, I cried for a large majority of the watch in general. I really do think it’s so rare to find films that truly embody the average film lover’s experience and not only did Cinema Paradiso do that well at the time of its release, but it continues to do so now, decades later. Regardless of innovations in projection or movie watching habits, the power of cinema is never diminished. It is only elevated by a watch like this. 

God, I miss going to the theater. 

(Bumped this up on my watchlist queue so that I could listen to the latest episode of Cineflek, hosted by my friend, Jason!! Beyond stoked to hear them discuss this masterpiece!!! Check out the podcast if you haven’t already!!!)