Ordinary Happiness (2019) User Reviews

92 minutes, all it takes to give meaning to an entire life

[marcofranchino · 7/10 · 28 May 2020]

After a deadly road accident, Paolo is allowed to return to Earth just 92 minutes more, thanks to a miscalculation made in the paradise office. Married and father to two siblings, Paolo desperately tries to spend his last moments with his family overlooked for way too long, while reviewing his life in search for meaning.

Despite dragging at points and with a screenplay that could have been tighten up a bit, the message of the movie is loud and clear. The movie is sustained by a likable lead and it is a funny (especially some of the scenes with the angel that escorts the protagonist back to Earth), but never trivial, exploration of moments of ordinary happiness. 92 minutes seem an insignificant amount of time but sometimes it is all it takes to give meaning to an entire life.

gut

[zarada · 7/10 · 9 January 2021]

I love this movie since I read Francesco Piccolo's books. All of us need to be happy avery day, this movis is a manifesto Pif was very a great charachter

An imperfect version of Amelie Poulain?

[muratmihcioglu · 6/10 · 6 September 2021]

The opening of this movie struck me visually. I saw in those early scenes a very genuine interpretation of ascencion to an ethereal life.

After that, as the theme bagan to shape up, Tornatore's "A Pure Formality" and Warren Beatty's "Heaven Can Wait" came to mind.

And then... Well, hard to put a finger on the problem, but something began to malfunction with the whole experience. It just didn't flow. Scenes stopped making sense after a while. I got the feeling that I might have missed some crucial detail on the technicality with the protaganoist's particular condition. If so, it was on me. But still, the pace and the visual technique did not add up. How the 92 minutes was to be used or distributed seemed to lack any kind of logic, which defeats the whole narrative from the perspective of a "make believe" approach. On top of that, the crackling voice of the protagonist began to annoy me.

As I was watching it on Rai1, I got on IMDb during the commercial breaks to check the score and the comments. And quite strangely for a movie of 5.7 over 1300 votes, almost all the reviewers had given it straight 10s with short and strong recommendations. Gives the feeling that the crew and/or the writer of the source material has a devout fan base. Confusing for me as I enjoy it when movies manipulate the audience from the inside rather than by means of brain hacking via social influence.

My overall feeling is that there is some missed opportunity with this one. No doubt the people involved have tried hard on certain scenes, but an all-encompassing directorial approach seems to lack. Come to think of it: that lacking element was exactly what made Amelie Poulain something above and beyond a movie, a manifestation of French culture + a variety of fresh cinematic innovations.

The observations of the protagonist in the opening scenes had given me a similar vibe, alas... The beginning and the ending kept it kinda cool, but I got the feeling there was some great void and confusion amids the story.

Could this one be as great as the one centered around Amelie Poulain? A movie that explored life in a witty and entertaining way through the lens of Italian culture?... Who knows... All I can say is, its current state is way below that of Amelie's.

What a wonderful movie

[teokaranikas · 10/10 · 1 August 2020]

After 20+ years of using my favourite imdb without being a member, I just signed because I couldn't help seeing this wonderful movie so underrated (5,5). This movie is so poetic, funny, clever and talks about life, death, happiness, choices etc in such a great way. Movies like these are a reason why I love so much Italian cinema (I am Greek). See it and thank me later ;)

Surprisingly a better movie then most other comedy films in COVID times

[opusajib · 10/10 · 24 December 2020]

During the lockdown I watched a lot of movies to catchup with the modern films. With all the available time in the world I was looking for something light yet funny. This was a very surprising movie for me. I didn't hope for much but in the end I was satisfied with the story, the comedy and acting. Best of luck.

heart touching

[rafaelsoares-72790 · 10/10 · 25 November 2020]

Very nice movie, liked it a lot, it really touched my heart.

Nice

[Kirpianuscus · 15 January 2021]

Seductive for humor and good intentions. For the perspective about life and for cliches,too. For Renato Carpentieri and convincing portrait of Paulo made by Pif, remembering the characters of Roberto Benigni. So, for acting and for profound Italian spirit.A nice comedy about meaning of life. Far be great but the ginger taste is just a virtue in this case.

cool

[v-19339 · 10/10 · 18 October 2019]

It's a very interesting story. It tells a lot of things I haven't seen before. The man is very cute.

really enjoyed this movie

[onlylila · 10/10 · 4 October 2021]

This movie makes me realize how often I take everything and everyone in my life for granted. Great movie!

Must Watch

[tapu-eco · 10/10 · 6 January 2021]

Great movie with suspense. Screenplay is beautiful, soundtrack perfect. no Chance of get bored.

Nice Trailer

[samanasse · 10/10 · 22 October 2020]

Very interesting Trailer wich gives the desire to watch the movie Thank you for this nice job

Very very cool movie

[pllfbvr · 10/10 · 15 February 2021]

I love it, very love it, its a soo good movie, thank you forcreated this !

It is an excellent movie, its message is special, I recommend it

[lauraa-50355 · 10/10 · 12 June 2021]

It is an excellent movie, its message is special, I recommend it.

good

[mikelecarfora · 10/10 · 17 August 2021]

A very special movie for humor. All the characters are so professional and really fantastic.

very nice

[italygirl-1999 · 10/10 · 22 October 2020]

It is a very nice and different Kind of movie which has given me goosebumbs indeed.

Charming

[miguel-reis-1 · 10/10 · 24 February 2021]

A charming entertaining film where a man gets and extra hour and half of life after a bureaucratic error in heaven.

What can he do with it to fix his life and let his family know what they mean to him?

An underrated materpiece

[Ronac-Jebac · 10/10 · 23 March 2021]

It's rare that a movie move me like this one did. I re watched it recently and remembered how much I loved the acting, the direction and what it says about life. A must watch!

Ordinary Happiness

[primaveragolden · 10/10 · 11 June 2021]

Ordinary happiness is excellent I recommend it, the enjoyment a lot is a learning.

Great italian comedy

[struck9 · 10/10 · 11 November 2020]

Fabulous Italian comedy , This film works based on some likable characters who give a modicum of nice enough performances.

amazing movie

[himainsan · 10/10 · 2 September 2021]

Such an amazing dramatic and a comedy film, I really liked it 100% RECOMMENDED.

very entertaining movie

[porix_lostflash · 10/10 · 26 November 2020]

The idea of transforming the short stories of Francesco Piccolo into a comedy movie really worked here. I enjoyed watching it :)

Love it

[ghostolino · 10/10 · 4 January 2021]

I love this movie since I read Francesco Piccolo's books. All of us need to be happy avery day, this movis is a manifesto Pif was very a great charachter

Nice movie

[joniitiger · 10/10 · 12 June 2021]

This is really a nice movie. I like it very much. BGM was really good.

Excellent

[MANHGROUR · 10/10 · 25 May 2021]

I relly enjoy this. This movie is so poetic, funny, clever and talks about life, death, happiness.

Endearing comedy

[arwens_galega · 10/10 · 17 November 2020]

A pleasant film to watch and that invites us to reflect on the apparently insignificant facts in which the happiness (or unhappiness) of our lives