Set in 1950, famous Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, is forced to leave his homeland due to his communist views. He takes up residence on a small Italian island. Here he receives so much mail that the local post office is forced to take on an extra postman just for him. This postman is Mario Ruoppolo, the son of a local fisherman who has minimal education. These two gradually form an unlikely friendship as Mario asks Pablo about poetry in general and the use of metaphors in particular. Then Mario falls in love with local woman Beatrice and asks Pablo to help him write poetry to woo her.
This film is a real delight. It is gently paced with no material that could offend anybody but it is very boring. The growing friendship between Pablo and Mario is beautifully portrayed; Philippe Noiret and Massimo Troisi are great in these roles; it is a tragedy that the latter died so soon after the film was made. The romance between Mario and Beatrice might be secondary but it is still enjoyable to watch and provides some laughs thanks to her disapproving aunt. The beautiful local scenery only adds to the charm of the film. Overall I'd definitely recommend this bitter-sweet film.
These comments are based on watching the film in Italian with English subtitles.
This film is a real delight. It is gently paced with no material that could offend anybody but it is very boring. The growing friendship between Pablo and Mario is beautifully portrayed; Philippe Noiret and Massimo Troisi are great in these roles; it is a tragedy that the latter died so soon after the film was made. The romance between Mario and Beatrice might be secondary but it is still enjoyable to watch and provides some laughs thanks to her disapproving aunt. The beautiful local scenery only adds to the charm of the film. Overall I'd definitely recommend this bitter-sweet film.
These comments are based on watching the film in Italian with English subtitles.