Il Postino (Widescreen): Amazon.ca: Massimo Troisi, Philippe Noiret, Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Renato Scarpa, Linda Moretti, Sergio Solli, Carlo Di Maio, Nando Neri, Vincenzo Di Sauro, Orazio Stracuzzi, Alfredo Cozzolino, Mariano Rigillo, Michael Radford, Alberto Passone, Anna Pavignano, Antonio Sk�rmeta, Furio Scarpelli, Giacomo Scarpelli: DVD

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Italian star and filmmaker Massimo Troisi was dying of heart failure even before this film, his dream project, began production, and he prevailed upon British director Michael Radford (White Mischief) to see him and the film through to the end. (The 40-year-old Troisi, a beloved comic actor in Italy, died the day production wrapped.) Based on true events, Troisi plays a shy postman who strikes up an unlikely friendship with exiled Chilean poet Pablo Neruda (Philippe Noiret). Through Neruda's example and tutelage, the hero learns to think of his Italian fishing village in lyrical terms, as well as how to talk to women and even find the strength to take his political stands. Sweet as it is, the film finally pushes beyond its charming borders to become an even more complex and poignant story about the pain of growing into one's destiny. --Tom Keogh

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Customer Reviews

65 Reviews

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

Average Customer Review

4.5 out of 5 stars (65 customer reviews)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable and delightful film!, July 5 2004

By

Hiram Gomez Pardo (Valencia, Venezuela) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Il Postino (Widescreen) (DVD)

Massimo Troisi's last work as Il postino became his undesired cinema testament. His acting became in one of the most expressive performings ever given : amazing, charming, overwhelming , powerful and sincere.
Noiret is a multiple skill gifted actor ; his presence literally invades the whole screen and his performance as Neruda is top notch.
The landscapes are arresting : the plot is full inspired and the direction is towering . Radford got a sublime work : an unforgettable artistic work. Besides the music is another brilliant actor: even there is a jazz version of the Yellowjackets.
And don't forget the funny and clever statement of il postino : "The poem doesn't own to the poet but whom needs it*

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, Jun 30 1999

By A Customer

Il Postino immediately made my all-time best list with its inspiring and moving story of a simple man finding the courage to love and his greater personal destiny through the help and influence of an unlikely figure, a world-renowned poet seeking political exile in his small village. Despite some of the previous reviews here, this movie has a solid script allowing true character development, taking time to establish the right pace and realistic relationships between the main characters. Nothing in it rings false, and thus it deserves all the acclaim that has come its way. Although Il Postino did not win the Oscars that maybe it should have -- does anyone remember who took Best Picture for 1995? -- I'm sure it will continue to draw the attention and admiration of film lovers decades into the future, and what more could a serious filmmaker ask for? Like its soulful sibling Cinema Paradiso, Il Postino is profound and affecting, the kind of experience that cracks away our cynicism and weariness to reveal the beauty and power of life and the potential for creative greatness and happiness in all of us. By the end, through the postman's humility, honesty, kindness, courage, and spiritual rebirth and ascension, we, like the famous poet, witness the emergence of a greater heart and inspiration, and are thankful for being delivered home.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars "MAN HAS NO BUSINESS WITH THE SIMPLICITY OF COMPLEXITY"..., Jun 14 2004

By

Shashank Tripathi (Gadabout) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Il Postino (Widescreen) (DVD)

What a poignant and bittersweet Italian comedy about the friendship between exiled Chilean poet Pablo Neruda and his shy postman (played by Troisi), made so in no small measure by Troisi's quietly contained but gripping performance.

The lyrical screenplay perfectly balances the intimate story of a local postman with the social and political realties of 1950s Italy, suggesting that the backwater, impoverished Italian "Mezzogiorno" could find new potentials just like the movie's protagonist.

In weaving its leisurely unfolding tapestry (hint: the movie may feel slow to people who're used to Hollywood's wham-bam), the film works on many different levels -- a tribute to the power and beauty of poetry; a tale of brotherhood; a charmingly quirky romance (between Troisi and barmaid Maria Grazia Cucinotta).

Unfortunately, the ending of the film is somewhat mishandled with couple of unnecessary scenes, but it is this very ending that I found the most memorable because it eerily corresponds with the tragedy of real life behind cameras.

Couldn't recommend this lyrical gem highly enough.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic movie! Absolutely a gem of a movie!
Il Postino is the type of movie that you just don't see anymore these days!
Massimo Troisi is absolutely fantastic, and the movie is as fresh when you see it the 10th time as... Read more

Published 19 months ago by Adrian Bita

5.0 out of 5 stars Ciao Mario
Ce film est fantastique.
Il est bien triste que l'acteur interpr�tant Mario soit décédé juste après le tournage... Un acteur formidable... Read more