Tutta una vita

I loved this film when it first appeared in 1974 and I had waited a long time to see it again. It was just as wonderful as the first time with a big caveat. Reviewers here mention the fact that the version of this film now distributed on DVD in the US contains content that was not part of the film's original release in the US in the 1970's. Someone at IMDb who knows a lot more about this than I do -- should clearly explain this in the capsule summary on the film's front page. To be precise, the ending of the film in the "unedited" or better, "re-edited" version includes a ghastly ending sequence that ruins the ending. The version shown in the US in the 1970's showed a view through the airplane's window that was perfectly timed with the beginning of the credits rolling. That view through the plane window was both under-stated, elegant, and wonderful enough that it was my most stirring memory of this film and I was sadly disappointed to find it gone!

Lelouch, the master of finding the humour and tragic desperation within human relationships has crafted a signature piece of romance for all us romantics. One annoying flaw is repetitiveness that could have been better edited, but the grand perspective is well worth the extra half hour. The film misses greatness but is well worth watching.

This is a complex, gimmicky, manipulative and insanely romantic film, and it's my all-time favorite movie, bar none. And I prefer the U.S. version, which was truncated somewhat from Lelouche's original, because it punctuates the essence of the film -- that we are all somehow destined to our fate, even going several generations back, but we must cooperate by following our hearts and souls. I've seen this movie more than 20 times and it still fascinates me.

See the subtitled version if you can. Lelouch weaves a wonderful, comic and tragic story covering most of the 20th century Europe. Within this global sweep, he traces the path of two people who are destined to meet. You see events from their grandparents' and parents' lives and then from their separate childhoods.

Truly one of the most romantic films ever made. Beautifully shot by LeLouch, this undeservedly obscure film should be required viewing for all movie lovers. Don't miss it.