Monday, 16 January 2017

Cinema Paradiso (1988)

Young Toto

          Cinema Paradiso is a film of bittersweet essence highlighting main themes such as friendship, love and nostalgia which revolves in the story of Toto, an avid film lover. What really stood out to me from the main character, Toto was his immense passion demonstrated through his love for film and it was very much inspiring to see in regards to my own passion towards music. I was also able to connect with Alfredo’s character, Toto's best friend and mentor, where he explained that his job was worth the pleasure and happiness he gained from watching people enjoying the films he resiliently projects as a projector despite the hard work and heavy responsibilities he had to carry. In this case, it demonstrated my exact sentiment on wanting to fulfill my passion for it is one pleasurable feeling to be able to make people happy through what you love doing, and I stand with Alfredo's passion in his job derived of his goal by making others happy. On the other hand, I would say I am a person who is often easily discouraged on the challenges arising from my goals, but Toto had me connected through his courage and resilience to go for what he loves doing despite being discouraged by his mentor Alfredo of the rough challenges ahead as a film projectionist, which was indeed eye opening and inspiring. 


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          Another remarkable takeaway from this movie was how it demonstrated the strong dynamic of Toto and Alfredo’s s friendship that depicts how shared passion can bring people closer, which fostered a kind of bond that was incredibly special and moving. 

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Alfredo's character brought great significance to Toto's life, and this movie has no doubt successfully pulled myself in through the journey of their budding friendship along the years, not to mention highlighting Alfredo's heartfelt care and love for Toto and his future. Alfredo to me was also seen as a vital father figure role which Toto could not gain from his biological father who perished in war. Toto became who he is and went for his dreams because of Alfredo's insistence to pursue what he truly loves.



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He guided Toto to be the kind of man possessing qualities that are vital to survive in the real world with courage, but at a cost of leaving everything behind, which was painfully and reasonably realistic to engage.


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          What I did not quite like about the story though was that it did not explain proper closure between Toto and his first love. It gave me an unpleasant sense of emptiness from the main character who was still stuck in the ghost of his past with his first love. 


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          However, it explains the reality of how some relationships fail and not all would follow through a fairy tale happy ending which is realistically relevant to ponder on. Furthermore, Toto’s loss on his first love has given me an insight on how we may not own the privilege to have everything we want come true in life as circumstances prevail, there are things one will have to unwillingly give up and that depicts the reality of life we often have to accept. 


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          Main characters aside, the minor characters portrayed was also interestingly well put together to enhance the essence of nostalgia delivered along the timeline that went by in the film. Among the theater goers, we have a man that can not get over his habit of spitting on the theater floor, a couple that fell in love across their seats, and the booming laughter coming from the children which ultimately signified and delivered special memories that can only be attached to this place, and hence enhancing the nostalgic part of this film as these moments will inevitably be turned into remains of the past when time goes by. I personally like how remarkable this film was able to highlight the significance of the minor characters as well which has successfully added greater depth to the meaning behind this theater that was once full of life.

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Abandoned Cinema Paradiso

          And finally moving on to the final scene which to me was perfectly nailed in executing the 'tugging at one's heartstrings' effect through the revelation of Alfredo's legacy and had me almost choking in my own tears. A series of kissing montage was left behind for Toto and I love how this montage has demonstrated greater meaning to the bond both Toto and Alfredo have shared along his childhood years through adulthood, and that being said it was the perfect ending that highlighted their admirable bond through one thing, which was their love for film.

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          In a nutshell, one of the biggest takeaway and impact I had from this movie was the will on pursuing what you truly want and that involves immense courage and strength to believe in order to take a leap towards your dream.



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