LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL

Victor Bloom MD

There is a film called, "Life is Beautiful" currently playing in an area theater. It is very powerful and extraordinarily entertaining as well as thought-provoking. It is hoped that many Grosse Pointers will make the trek to the west side to see it. When one learns of the subject matter, one tends to want to stay away. It is about the Holocaust, Italian style. Something that has never happened before, was finding humor in the awfulness of the Holocaust. The one outstanding exception was the Mel Brooks movie, ("The Producers"--- 1967), famous for a song called "Springtime for Hitler." It lacked the creativity and real humor of "Life is Beautiful," a film which is mostly comedy and fantasy with an intriguing plot about psychological survival in a concentration camp.

The one man who could pull off such a feat is Roberto Begnini, the European Charlie Chaplin. Although unknown in America, he is wildly popular in Europe. Those who remember Charlie Chaplin will see the resemblance in characterization. Begnini and Chaplin have a curious knack for fast-talking, mime and slapstick. Imagine these traits in a death camp! And yet he carries it off beyond anyone's expectations.

Miraculously, the father is able to convince his little five year old boy, who was raised with love and affection, wit and fun, that what was going on was one big game. The game was so special that they were glad they didn't miss the train. Begnini has explanations for the severe conditions and the absence of the mother as being part of a game of enduring so-called hardships. If he hides, it is hide-and-seek, and he is supposed to be as quiet as a mouse, to gain more points and because his speech would betray him. It is all part of a vast game, consisting of men in striped pajamas with numbers on the top and on their forearms, so they won't forget their number. And other participants in helmets who are always yelling and angry.

Each hurdle passed brings a number of points. The first to accumulate a thousand points has his deepest wish come true. The boy wants a tank, not a toy tank, but a real one. Hardly anyone in the audience can conceive that such a fantasy-wish could become a reality, but prospective movie-goers may rack their minds as to how this can come about. In reality, many unlikely things do come about, leading to a surreal atmosphere, but with just enough practicality that the viewer does not have to completely suspend belief.

On the deepest level, we are persuaded to look at the symbolism in the movie. The symbolism says that hope must be preserved at all costs. The word, 'survival' means psychological as well as physical. The movie says that although nice guys might finish last, there is a force above and beyond the principle that might makes right. The historic events of this century indicate that in the main, good triumphs over evil.

The movie shows the power and influence of a parent over a child. The words and actions of the parent encompass the reality of the child. If poppa says it is just a game, a wild and wooly game, full of challenges and tests, that is the reality of the child. If the father convinces the child not to worry, he will not worry excessively. If the father explains the inexplicable, it is rendered explicable, believable. The child's brain is like soft clay--- it can be molded. Only as the years go by, the clay hardens and is resistant to change. Children are gullible and suggestible and parents must learn to guard their words and actions. Children need to be taught beyond conventional and formal rules to be flexible, positive and creative.

The movie shows how a brilliant, witty and loving parent can prevent seemingly overwhelming misfortune from irreparably warping and scarring a young child. Those of us who are parents are well aware of this responsibility, but we all fall short in comparison to our hero, whose name is Guido in the film. Perhaps symbolically "Guido" is the guide. The boy's name is Giosue, which is pronounced sounding like Jesus or Jheyzu. The father loves and protects his son, just like in the bible.

The message is one of love and hope, and is especially enjoyable in this time of cynicism, conflict and despair. When one looks at the world again, it is clear that there is an instinctual drive for freedom and love in humankind. The tragedies we read about so often are exceptions to the rule.

I quote from a paraphrase of a Hungarian saying:

"Love and freedom,

These two things I need.

For my freedom I'll sacrifice my love,

For my love I'll sacrifice my life."

Dr. Bloom is Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Wayne State University School of Medicine. He is a member of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and he welcomes comments and questions at his e-mail address: vbloom@comcast.net.