Two of my favorite Italian films are Cinema Paradiso (1988) and Il Postino (1994).  Both are romantic, tender, sweet…and bittersweet.  Recently, our film group of five women watched Il Postino again, this time on YouTube.  It’s just as good, if not, better than the first time around.

It is the story of Mario, who lives on a remote island (perhaps near Naples) and takes no interest in fishing, the main occupation of the island.  One day, the postmaster asks him to deliver mail by bicycle to a new arrival on the island.  The new resident is the famous poet Pablo Neruda, who has been exiled from Chile for political reasons.  Mario notices that most of his mail is from women, and he wonders if he can learn poetry to attract women.  Slowly, Mario and Pablo become friends, and the poet teaches him the meaning and richness of metaphor, a word I will forever associate with this film.

I won’t spoil your enjoyment of the film by revealing much more of the plot other than to say that Mario is successful in wooing his Beatrice.  But it wasn’t easy over the objections of the young woman’s protective aunt, Donna Rosa.  She is offended when Mario uses poetic language to win her niece’s heart—“your smile spreads across your face like a butterfly.”  And she becomes even more outraged when Mario sends Beatrice a sensual poem borrowed from Neruda.  Donna Rosa declares “words are the worst things ever.”  She believes that verbal seduction is far more dangerous than physical advances, saying that she would rather have a drunkard at the bar touch her niece’s backside than touch her with his words.

The film is about many things, particularly for me about the power of language, poetry and metaphor –not only in love, but also in politics.  It earned many award nominations and received critical praise for its quiet charm, emotional depth, and gentle humor. 

The ending is bittersweet, as is the back story.  The guiding light behind the production was Massimo Troisi, who plays Mario.  He was also an Italian director and co-wrote the film’s screenplay.  He had heart disease from childhood rheumatic fever.  He postponed heart surgery in order to act in the title role.  He died the day after the film was completed.