1994 | 108 mins | Romantic Comedy | Italy

Cast Massimo Troisi, Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Renato Scarpa

Appealing for its delightfully laid-back philosophising, disarming charm and the restrained performance by the comic genius Massimo Troisi. Set in the 1950s on the idyllic Phlegraean Island of Procida, off the coast of Naples, it is a world left behind by the progress of mainland Italy. Nobel Prize-winning Chilean poet Pablo Neruda (played by veteran French actor Philippe Noiret) is exiled to the island for his political convictions. Mario, the seemingly guileless postman, is intrigued as he delivers stacks of fan mail to the famous poet. Soon, Mario’s good-natured, yet naive questions opens the door to an unexpected friendship. The power of language and poetry expands Mario’s horizons. Troisi’s depiction of Mario’s uneducated but intellectual spirit is drawn with such tenderness and humour that it is both profound and hilarious in the same moments. Mario soon wishes to use the newly discovered power of words to woo the beautiful Beatrice. The uplifting and allegorical simplicity of Il Postino disguises its beauty and its weight. This is a film that can truly be called ‘Cinema’ and deserves to be seen on the big screen.

Disarmingly beautiful! ‘Il Postino’ is a potentially Classic and beloved arthouse film.

Gary Arnold. Washington Times.