Examples of Positive Living in Roberto Benigni's Film Life is Beautiful

Roberto Benigni's extremely popular film Life is Beautiful is an exercise in absolute positivism, despite the progressively dismal setting and the disappointments its main characters must face. The principle character, Guido (played by Benigni), is a model of positive living. This extends, perhaps simply through contact with Guido, to his family-wife Dora (played by Benigni's wife, Nicoletta Braschi) and son Giosue (played by Giorgio Cantarini)-who carry core values shared by Guido throughout the film. Specific types of positive living as outlined by Loren Ford (2004) in his book "Human Relations: A Game Plan for Improving Personal Adjustment" portrayed in the film include: strong values; firm decision making; meaning through dedication and service to others; flow through creativity; love; and letting go (pp. 271-290).

Early on in the film we are introduced to Guido's charm and sense of humor in his absolute pursuit of his love, Dora, in an attempt to lure her away from her fiancé and convince her that he (Guido) is the right man for her to love. Guido displays unfailing optimism in this goal. His love extends after marriage, is bestowed upon their son, and remains in full effect even under the most difficult and horrifying of circumstances. His dedication to Dora is inspiring.

Furthermore, Guido's sense of purpose includes his responsibilities as a husband and father, and he serves his wife and son unfailingly. The movie ends with the family in a Nazi concentration camp, owing to the fact that Guido is a Jew. Ford (2004) writes that "To help, nurture, or serve others provides meaning for many individuals (p.276)." This is certainly true in Guido's case, and there is no more straightforward an example than his final sacrifice on behalf of his wife: he risks certain death to attempt to rescue her after making many attempts to contact her through various creative and comical means. He is, in fact, captured and murdered by camp guards. It is a bittersweet ending to a life defined by acts of altruism.