Cinema ParadisoMovie Reviews

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Avg. Critic Score: 79 out of 100 Generally favorable reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
13 OK for kids 13+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 100
    San Francisco Chronicle | Mick LaSalle

    You leave Cinema Paradiso with that feeling that's kind of like getting kicked in the stomach, but nice. It's one of those breathless, swept-away-by-a-movie experiences that you might have once a year, if you're lucky. [16 February 1990, Daily Notebook, p.E-1] Read full review

  • 100
    Mr. Showbiz |

    Unapologetically sentimental, this movie is certain to melt all but the hardest of hearts. Read full review

  • 100
    Los Angeles Times | Michael Wilmington

    It's a shining valentine to the movies--full of homages, collages and swooningly romantic Ennio Morricone music--and it gets right at the messy, impure, wondrous way they capture and enrapture us. [16 February 1990, Calendar, p.F-1] Read full review

  • 90
    Washington Post | Rita Kempley

    There are films as lovely, but none lovelier. Read full review

  • 88
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    Anyone who loves movies is likely to love Cinema Paradiso. Read full review

  • 80
    Washington Post | Desson Thomson

    Just about everything you ever loved (or hated) about Italian films can be found. Read full review

  • 75
    USA Today | Mike Clark

    Lovely “memory'' film. [2 March 1990, Life, p.4D] Read full review

  • 70
    Film.com | John Hartl

    A sweet, funny exercise in nostalgia, though it's also self-congratulatory and awfully calculating. Read full review

  • 70
    Variety |

    Tornatore is an able storyteller who knows the value of cute kids and easy emotion. Read full review

  • 50
    Chicago Tribune | Dave Kehr

    A few moments of sly inspiration are not enough to carry an entire feature; along with the tears, it leaves behind an aftertaste of phoniness. [16 March 1990, Friday, p.H] Read full review

View more reviews for Cinema Paradiso on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 13+ Charming Italian film about friendship, movies.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that Ttis charming tale of friendship and the love of movies is the perfect introduction to foreign films for older tweens and young teens. Although it may be a little slow and syrupy for cynical teens, most kids will find the sentimental tale touching. Content-wise, there's little to worry about; a character is badly burned, and there's some on-screen kissing (note: the R-rated director's cut features more explicit sexuality).
  • Families can talk about how Alfredo helps Salvatore gain the confidence to pursue his passion. Who are your real-life mentors? Families may also want to talk to older children about the gifts they have to share with younger kids.
The good stuff
  • message true3 Positive messages: Mentorship and friendship are the film's themes.
What to watch for
  • violence false3 Violence: Alfredo is severely burned in a fire.
  • sex false3 Sex: some on-screen kissing.
  • language false0 Language: Not an issue
  • consumerism false0 Consumerism: Not an issue
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false0 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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