Zivot je cudo

It's another excellent work by Kusturica; why am I not surprised? Because he's the coolest director ever, that's why. Life Is a Miracle isn't quite his best film, though. Neither the characters, the humor nor the story can entirely live up to his impressive back catalog, although they constantly come close. The end, which might be his best yet, has probably the best use of the cinematic device of the donkey since Au Hasard Balthazar.

There are only two things stopping me from giving this a higher score: Time of the Gypsies and Underground.

Is there a question here about how the filmmaker presents the genesis of the Bosnian war? Perhaps. But aren't his films always also rejections of war and celebrations of all the other forms of life's craziness? Here, the blend of the comic and the tragic is maybe even more nicely balanced than in UNDERGROUND (1995) and BLACK CAT, WHITE CAT (1998), but without quite the historical sweep and brilliant characterisation of the former or the outright hilarity of the latter. Still pretty great though.

Another tragicomic masterpiece from Emir Kusturica. It's not his best movie, but it is head and shoulders above most of the other cinema of its decade.

This film is so humorous and has such a life-affirming spirit, conveyed via such a majestic, playful and at times a very bombastic style that is is very hard not to enjoy it (despite the commentary on the Bosnian War, which I assume goes right over the head of most, including me). Some times, in life we blind our eyes to conflict, until the conflict finds us. It is then that we have to delve inside to find our inner magic to create an understanding of the inherent chaos of life. Stunning ending!

Many elements here are not of the level that I've come to expect of Emir Kusturica. Most notably - the lead role, humor, script (specifically in the middle section, when the younger woman appears) all come up short and in no way coalesces in the usual magnificence I've witnessed of his 80s/90s work. The ending is well done, but I just can't think too highly of this.

Kusturica, Serb as I am, had better movies than this. Cannes didn't awarded this movie, except for directing I think but don't trust me. Great acting and scenography, and directing... :) well what to say bout Kusturica.

I love Kusturica's chaotic style, the madcap physical comedy (a lot of it here provided by a middle-aged woman, which is fun in itself). The way that people knock things over, fall down a lot without care, and are casually, harmlessly violent with one another is very entertaining. The lengthy runtimes don't do it any favours, though; by the end you can end up just exhausted and ready to leave all the zaniness behind. And the plot is a little trite and predictable. But I liked it.

If you want to see a Kusturica drama, watch "Underground". If you want to see a Kusturica comedy, watch "Black Cat, White Cat". "Cudo" is just a stupid attempt to mix both. Kusturica plagiarizing Kusturica. It's not bad, but really, this director is capable of much better things.

09.02.2015, Ev

Another remarkable film from Emir Kusturica, bursting with the great joy of life and the tragedy of war. The entire cast is superb, the music is wonderful, and Kusturica's trademark pandemonium is as enchanting as ever. At times the comedy tried too hard, and I thought the main character could have been a little more interesting, but I still loved it a lot.

Emir Kusturica has been in movie business for long time and everything what he touches turns to gold. He was born on Bosnia's territory and by nationality he is Serb. So who else is the best artist to bring us civil war nonsense and drama than him. Fabulous movie.