If Life is Beautiful

Christopher Tkaczyk

While the main focus of the film is Guido's devotion to his son's life, there remains what I found to be an even deeper beauty. At the moment when Guido and Giosue are put on the out-of-town train, Guido's wife, Dora, discovers that the men of her family have been taken away. She demands of a young blond soldier that she be put on the train with them, regardless of the fact that she is a gentile. At first he refuses, her name not appearing on his list. At her repetitive demands, he finally decides that her life is not worth arguing over, and grants her permission to join the crowded passengers.

At that moment, my heart swelled with admiration and intrigue.

I found Dora's action, the risking of her own life, to be the most heroic motion possible by a human being. Her passionate devotion is something beyond immortal, possibly divine. To make that decision, that decision of death, in hopes of the assurance that you may spend one more minute with that certain someone - that is beauty. That is what makes life worth living.

It was recently explained to me by a wise old sage that life is a game. If you live your life, and in the end you're loved, then you've won. The love itself is your reward. I harkened back to the image of the immature Giosue, who had believed the disenchanting lie of the game, and I realized that Guido was right. His life was a game. And he won.

But Dora isn't alone in her devotion. While she and Guido are separated at the camp because of the gender segregation, they never see one another. At a particular moment in the film, Guido discovers the room that houses the loudspeaker the Germans use to deliver their daily messages of warning and threat. Without even knowing if Dora is still alive, Guido addressed her with his trademark charm: "Buongiorno principessa ..." He tells her of his undying passion, of his sleepless nights and his longing to be near her again. He risks his life in the attempt to touch her, again, from a far.

And she hears him. And she hears Giosue's voice as Guido allows him to address the memory of his mother.

It is at that moment that she realizes her love is returned seven-fold. Hearing Giosue's voice, she cries and knows she has not loved in vain.

After I emerged from the theater, my fellow patrons mute and enveloped with a certain sense of understanding about life and love, I began to question my own motives in life. Could I ... would I ever make the same decision Dora so passionately chose? If ever faced with that decision of death, would I muster the courage, wrought from passion, and demand to be put on the train?

It is my firm desire that I will one day have that chance.

In our romantic hopes and dreams, we believe we will end up with that special someone, a possible true love. Often, we become blind to the harsh reality of life, accepting for ourselves the idea that true love is always close at hand.

Another recent film that addresses the idea of perfect passion is "Meet Joe Black." Within that movie, a young man, played by Brad Pitt, explains his expectations for true love to a woman he meets in a diner. He tells of his need to find someone who can take care of him, a quality he promises to mirror with full drive. He wonders if such a quality still exists in today's world. The woman, played delicately by Claire Forlani, finally discovers her search for the same goodness, but unfortunately, all too late. Fate lends a hand and her brief encounter with him becomes a moment in history. They part, moments before his death, without exchanging phone numbers, both passing up the chance to spend the rest of their lives together.

But what is the test of true love? Of a perfect spiritual bond? When will we know if the decisions we make are right?

In my own life, I've been faced with the options of choosing. I've proved that I would abandon certain beliefs, religious beliefs, in order to remain with the woman I love. If my happiness depended upon that choice, I would not only convert to Judaism, but to any other religion held dear by my loved. "A Jew inadvertantly named for Christ?" you may ask. Worse sins have been committed, rest assured.

When I gaze into my own future, I wonder if I'll ever find that special someone, that bella principessa who might one day fall from above - that woman who would get on the train, for me, and for our son.

Spiritual devotion of the heart is what we all may seek, deep inside. We may never know if we've found it, at least, not until we're faced with the option of giving up our own breath and existence for that one last moment together. Then, only, will we truly know if life is beautiful.

Christopher Tkaczyk

Daily Arts Editor

12-03-98