A filmmaker recalls his childhood, when he fell in love with the movies at his village's theater and formed a deep friendship with the theater's projectionist.
Remain open to fantasies but not be consumed by them. These are good lessons for a would-be director. They are good lessons for everybody. And no recent movie has taught them with more patient sweetness. [Feb. 5, 1990]
100
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
Jay Scott
Cinema Paradiso converts you to the credo that art can indeed be holy.
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]
88
Chicago Sun-Times
Roger Ebert
Anyone who loves movies is likely to love Cinema Paradiso.