Il Postino: The Postman - PG
Common Sense Note
Parents should know that the subtitles and adult themes, although never offensive, push the movie away from what's comfortable for preteens.
Families who see this film might discuss historical fiction. Are movies a good source of accurate information? Why do film writers and directors make changes in real stories, people, and events? Parents may also want to use this movie as an opportunity to expose their teens to some of their favorite poetry.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Mignola, Scott G.
In this fictional account of the Chilean poet's exile in Italy, Pablo Neruda helps a simple man find new purpose and joy through the beauty and inspiration of poetry. The dialogue is in Italian, with subtitles.
Life in a quaint fishing community takes on new meaning for Mario Ruoppolo (Massimo Troisi) when he accepts a job as a postman for a single address, that of the famous Pablo Neruda (Philippe Noiret). Seeking refuge from an arrest warrant on this small Italian island, the exiled Chilean poet is inundated with mail, so the two see each other often.
The poet's words so enflame Mario's heart that he falls in love with the beautiful Beatrice (Maria Grazia Cucinotta). To win her over, Mario borrows a few of the Maestro's lines to great success. Even after the warrant is lifted and Neruda returns to his homeland, Mario carries with him -- through the love for his wife and son and his own impassioned acts -- the values their friendship has stamped on him.
Il Postino (The Postman) is one of those rare and passionate movies that make you want to rush out to a bookstore and lose yourself in endless shelves of printed pages. It so eloquently captures the spirit of the creative mind that seeing it might even inspire teenagers with an aversion to poetry to give it another try.
The Nobel Prize-winning poet and diplomat Pablo Neruda wrote about the beauty of everyday life, and gave voice to those with no outlet for their own joys and sorrows. Played wonderfully by Philippe Noiret from Cinema Paradiso, he exudes a warmth and a passion that far exceed his girth. The movie's tender humor comes mostly in his exchanges with the postman and aspiring communist Mario. The poet always has concrete answers to his curious friend's questions, even sticklers like "How do you become a poet?"
There's a hint of Cyrano de Bergerac to this story, in that Mario relies on his friend's words to seduce his love until he gains confidence in his own voice. Some of Neruda's famous words can be found in Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair, and Miramax's companion to the movie, Love: Ten Poems by Pablo Neruda.
For other movies rich with beautiful language, try Franco Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet.
A debt of gratitude is owed to star and co-writer Massimo Troisi, who was so eager to make this movie that he postponed treatment for a heart condition to take part in it. Il Postino (The Postman) is his gift to us, and a touching farewell. His heart failed him 12 hours after the movie finished shooting.
Families who enjoy this movie might also see Cyrano de Bergerac, Romeo and Juliet, Cinema Paradiso, Dead Poets Society, Roxanne, or Life is Beautiful.
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Sexual ContentRomantic seduction. |
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ViolenceBrief glimpses of beatings at a political rally. |
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