I have always been hesitant to watch movies that are widely known as classics because they do not seem like something you can just spontaneously play and enjoy. I prefer to watch them when I am ready to fully take them in and I try to focus solely on them. Cinema Paradiso was one of these. Not only is it a beloved classic, but the fact that it is a foreign movie in a language that I am not familiar with, made me hesitate even more. However, by the time the movie finished, I regretted not seeing it sooner.
The movie begins with Toto receiving news from home that a man named Alfredo has passed away. Then the story shifts back to Toto’s childhood in a small town in Italy. As a kid, Toto was a boy who loved to watch movies. Alfredo was a projectionist at a movie theater in town, which was beloved by many residents. Alfredo cared deeply for Toto, and he did not want Toto to learn how to project a film, mainly because he wished Toto to live a better life than he did as a projectionist. Then one day, the theater caught fire and Toto tried to save Alfredo, but Alfredo ended up losing his sight. Toto became a projectionist for a new theater. As he grew older, he fell in love with a girl named Elena. They eventually got together but were separated due to the disapproval of Elena’s parents.
Toto returned home after serving in the military, but Alfredo insisted that Toto leave the town and pursue a bigger dream. He did not want Toto to remain in the small town and told him not to come back. Fast forward to the present; Toto has now become a successful movie director, and he returns home to give his last farewell to Alfredo. The town seems to have changed over the years; even the movie theater that is full of memories is closing. He hears that Alfredo always spoke about him and still cared deeply for him. After saying farewell to Alfredo, Toto leaves the town and plays the film reel Alfredo left him. The reel is filled with intimate scenes from movies, which were not played in the theater back then. Toto watches the tape thinking about his childhood and his good friend Alfredo. His eyes are filled with his love for a friend, nostalgia, and a surge of emotions.
The most impressive thing about this film was surprisingly the friendship between Toto and Alfredo. Alfredo was lonely and enjoyed having Toto in his company, but at the same time, he was not willing to teach Toto how to project films because he wanted Toto to have a bigger success. Although knowing that he would miss him, he had to push Toto away so he could move on to the greater world. Their dialogue, gestures, and expressions also showed me how much they cared for each other, and I found this relationship even more impactful than the romantic relationship between Toto and Elena.
Another remarkable thing about the movie is its soundtrack, especially the well-known song “Toto and Alfredo” by Ennio Morricone. The song plays an important role in the film: during Toto’s childhood flashbacks, the music deepens the warmth and nostalgia of the scenes. Then, at the end of the movie, the song is played again as Toto watches the film reel from Alfredo. The song, which symbolizes his childhood memories and his friendship with Alfredo, intensifies the emotional surge Toto experiences.
Many people admire this movie for exploring significant life experiences — from friendship to first love, farewells, and nostalgia. One of the messages the film conveys is that some things are just meant to remain in the past. Personally, this message was especially impressive because it is a painful lesson to learn. For a long time, I will remember the scene where the movie theater was torn down and Toto left the town. Nevertheless, it is a movie I look forward to returning to, to see how my perspective changes with more time and life experiences.
