Il Postino

Last night, Mimi and I started the Italian film Il Postino. I say we started the film because only one of us finished it. Ahem. Anyway, it is an amazing film. Caught me off guard, really. Here is a description from IMDb:

"The plot is fairly simple, but loaded with subtleties that allow, and even encourage, multiple viewings. Mario (Massimo Troisi) longs for something more than his simple fisherman life on an Italian island. He takes a small job as a postman, delivering mail to famed romantic poet Pablo Neruda (Phillipe Noiret), who is living on the same island, in exile from Chile. Over time, they develop a relationship that is based on Neruda aiding Mario in wooing his beloved Beatrice (Maria Grazia Cucinotta)."

I had heard of it, but hadn't thought much about it. Then a year ago last spring, I saw one scene from the movie that I thought was really intriguing. I was teaching a class on preaching for Nazarene Theological Seminary. One of the requirements for the class was that each student pick a film clip that somehow could be used to help tell a story. It was fun to see what my students came up with. It is in this context that one student showed a clip from Il Postino.

So anyway, I finally got around to putting it on my Netflix queue and like I said, watched it last night. If you haven't seen it, and you don't mind subtitles, you might give it a try. Anyone this film from 1995? Did you like it?

Comments

[Jodi]

Tim,
I remember seeing this in a little run-down theater in Minneapolis when it came out. The cinematography is breathtaking, and the story was so beautiful. It made me (makes me) want to move to a small Italian island and maybe deliver mail (well, this and the promise of red wine and pasta!).

[Grant W.]

Emma and I loved this movie. We watched it when we were dating. I also love Neruda's poetry.

[Katie D.]

I watched this movie in my poetry writing class at KU. I liked it and referenced it several times for other classes.

[Nathan]

I watched this film in my high school world literature class and went out and bought it right after. It is what made me start to enjoy foreign film and Pablo Neruda. Great film.

[Tim]

Yeah, I continued to think about this film all day. Jodi, I am with you on the island thing. I looked over at Mimi, when she was still awake, and said, "Can we move to an Italian island...tomorrow?" I would even consider becoming a poet/fisherman to do so. Or Pablo Neruda's postman. I think it is cool that it is being shown in high school and college classes. And of course, what a great movie to fall in love to, Grant.

Is there a particular book of Neruda's poetry that you would recommend - Grant or Nathan?

[Grant W.]

Pablo Neruda: Absence and Presence

[Tim]

Thanks, Grant!

[Kelley Johnson]

I loved this film, subtitles and all. I have the soundtrack on my iPod, and the music ( and poetry readings) bring back the vivid images of the film so easily. It is a favorite... glad you got to see it!

[Tara Eastman]

Tim,
I remember watching this film as a part of an extra credit assignment given by a Sociology professor several years ago. I loved the hopefulness of this film, years later this still remains. I also like the fact that the lead character was a poet, like I try to be.
I also watched "Burnt by the Sun" as a part of that class. I got A on my reviews for both the films too.
Thanks for reminding me of the film, I may add it to my cue too!
Tara

[Nathan]

Pablo Neruda: Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair