Cinema Paradiso - A Timeless Classic

Cinema Paradiso is a 1988 Italian film, directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. It is the classic film of all time in Italian Cinema. The story revolves around Salvatore Di Vita aka Toto who grew up in the Traditional Italian town of Giancaldo, he will be very fond of cinema, theatre, and film projection and he will get close to Alfredo (The film projectionist) who will teaches him everything about projection and life. In his teenage, he will fall in love with Elena but it turns out to be the 'Right person, Wrong time'. So, following the words of his fatherly figure Alfredo, he goes away to Rome and becomes a successful filmmaker. After 30 years, he will return to the town to attend the funeral of Alfredo and there he re-visits his memories, people, and the theatre that taught life and its meaning. 

The story and the screenplay of Cinema Paradiso are structured in a linear way - the three different phases of the characters are shown. The story conveys emotions that are deep and nostalgic, any person can easily get connected to the film at any different stages. The director took the slow-burn method of the screenplay rather than the 'What's next' way of story narration. The narrative structure of the film is quite simple yet it tries to convey a larger meaning that is either layered within the scene or through the characters.   

The film is very deep and emotionally rooted for everyone who is very passionate about cinema - the screenplay of Cinema Paradiso is structured in a linear way - the three different phases of the characters are shown. The story conveys emotions that are deep and nostalgic, any person can easily get connected to the film at any different stages. 

Frames & Compositions are the aesthetic factors in the film - they forged each frame with effective blocking and staging techniques. When Toto confess his love for Elena inside the confession box is the best close-up frame in the film. Music by Ennio Morricone & Andrea Morricone is the backbone of the film, the background scores gradually elevate the mood for scenes. The character development for each of its characters in the film is what makes this a timeless classic of all time - from Toto to the least screen space-time supporting artist has the character arc in the film. Paradiso plays a very significant role in changing every person's life - this really portrays how cinema can change our lives and give shape to them. The last 20 minutes of reminiscence are the most heart-warming sequences in the cinema of all time. 

Special Mention: The love angle in the film is something very deep, the 3-hour Director's Cut has a separate story arc for Toto & Elena's unfulfilled love - it shows how few love stories end helplessly due to external factors and how they get to suffer life-long for the love they lost.