Il Postino (The Postman)

The movie "Il Postino" or "The Postman" has been a revelation to me, I saw the DVD copy and had Siskel and Ebert's "Thumbs up" on it so I thought this must be pretty good.

I thought the film met my expectations but not in the way that you would be electrified or when you would pump your fist in the air and celebrate what you just saw.I think the effect of the movie itself affects the person's mood, maybe that is the reason why I felt so relaxed and so introspective after seeing it. The film was just so calm and quiet like one of it's main stars the late Massimo Troisi, it doesn't force sentimentality on the viewer but instead shares it without apprehension.

The film starts on a small island in Italy, the infamous Chilean poet Pablo Neruda (Philippe Noiret) was exiled on the island along with his wife. Mario Ruoppolo (Troisi) a disgruntled fisherman is hired as a postman to deliver mail for Neruda (because he's the only literate person in town if Im not mistaken, Im not really sure).

Mario even though poorly educated becomes interested in poetry and befriends Neruda, their friendship shows the changing of the times when simple people like Mario would find their influence from intellectuals like Neruda.
During their friendship I can say Mario was the person who was most affected, with the help pf Neruda the simple Postman also finds love with a beautiful young waitress Beatrice Russo (Maria Grazia Cucinotta). Their story all happens in the backdrop of the political upheaval that is changing Italy in the 50's and the effect not only on Mario but also of the townspeople.

The key performance of the film is of course Troisi as Mario, the great artist who sacrificed himself (literally) in order to complete the movie. The film clearly showed Troisi's vulnerability not emotionally but physically as he was already sick and needed to have heart surgery. I think his situation contributed to the film's calm and quiet setting, even the music is easy to listen to. Sometimes I think the film was made especially for Troisi himself who Im sure guided the director Michael Radford in making a film that is closer to Troisi's sensibilities. I also thought Noiret's performance was great even though I'm not really familiar with Pablo Neruda, he seemed well versed enough and really looked the part of the Poet turned mentor to Troisi's childlike naive Mario.
The film's ending of course is the best part of the film, **SPOILER ALERT** as Neruda stands on the beach alone staring at the vast ocean where he and Mario used to talk he looked as if he lost his own life upon learning Mario's passing while listening to the recording made for him. One of the most moving endings I have seen on film lately, it is ironic that Troisi himself died after the completion of the film helping the film's reputation as a true artist's film. Now I can honestly say Mario Ruoppolo and the actor Massimo Troisi are both my heroes.


Grade: A-