Whether a film runs for 90 minutes or 180, whether it’s animated or live-action, for an on-screen romance to work, the writer and director have to build a relationship between two characters that resonates deeply with the audience and, when executed properly in the tradition of classic cinema, climaxes in that romantic kiss where the music swells as the picture fades to black. Moments such as these have become iconic and yet more often than not they’re treated as just another scene in the ever-expanding world of film. It only seems appropriate then that a director, like Giuseppe Tornatore, would come along and create a grand tribute to cinematic romance, both narratively and literally. Cinema Paradiso has love as its focus in more ways than one. It’s a love letter both to the medium of film itself, the romances it’s brought to life, as well as a bittersweet story of love deferred, and consequently it’s an easy film to appreciate for both cinephiles and romance nuts alike.
Growing up in a small town where films were edited to remove any “racy” scenes, like kissing, Salvatore would spend every moment he could in the company of Alfredo, a man in the twilight of his life who ran the Cinema Paradiso, a simple one-room theater. Through the years, Salvatore falls in love with the moving images flickering against the wall, eventually becoming the Paradiso’s projectionist himself after a tragic accident, and wins the heart of Elena, the daughter of a wealthy banker who forbids their love. His passion for love and film leads him to devote his life to the art of film, but before he can pursue his dreams, he must fulfill his duty as an Italian citizen and serve his mandatory time in the military, during which he loses touch with Elena. A decade later, Salvatore returns home for the funeral of his old mentor, and discovers a gift Alfredo left behind.
Originally a 154-minute film, it was chopped down to 121 minutes for its international release, and that’s what you’ll find on this Blu-ray. The abridgement certainly helps with the film’s pacing, but it eliminates an important piece of closure that those who’ve seen the longer cut enjoyed: what happens with Elena? It almost seems criminal to edit a film about cinematic love by removing its bittersweet romance, but this is how the film was seen and applauded by most festivals. It will be a bit jarring and seem incomplete if you know what you’re missing, but for those who’ve never seen the film in its entirety, that loose end fades to the background in the face of the film’s final moment that is absolutely pitch perfect.
Blu-ray Bonus Features
The only extra is the film’s theatrical trailer, which is a shame.
"Cinema Paradiso" is on sale October 4, 2011 and is rated PG. Drama. Written and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. Starring Marco Leonardi, Philippe Noiret, Jacques Perrin.
