The Postman Movie Review 1994

Bittersweet, charming film about Mario (Troisi), a shy villager who winds up the personal postman of poet Pablo Neruda (Noiret), who is exiled from his beloved Chile in 1952, granted asylum by the Italian government, and who finds himself living in the tiny Italian community of Isla Negra. The tongue-tied Mario has fallen in love with barmaid Beatrice (Cucinotta) and asks the poet's help in wooing the dark-eyed beauty, striking up an unlikely friendship with the worldly Neruda. Based on the novel "Burning Patience" by Antonio Skarmeta. Italian with subtitles. Troisi, a beloved comic actor in his native Italy, was gravely ill, needing a heart transplant, during the making of the film (all-too apparent from his gaunt appearance) and died the day after filming was completed.

Distribution

Buena Vista Home Entertainment, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521-1120, Toll-free: 800-723-4763, URL: http://www.bvhe.com

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 115 minutes.
Originally from Italian.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Poetry, Island Fare, Italy, Going Postal

Screenplay

Massimo Troisi, Michael Radford, Furio Scarpelli, Anna Pavignano, Giacomo Scarpelli

Cast

Massimo Troisi, Philippe Noiret, Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Linda Moretti, Renato Scarpa, Anna Buonaiuto, Mariana Rigillo

Cinematography

Franco Di Giacomo

Director

Michael Radford

Music

Luis Bacalov

Producer

Mario Cecchi Gori, Gaetano Daniele, Alberto Passone, Miramax Films

Awards

Oscars 1995: Orig. Dramatic Score; British Acad. 1995: Director (Radford), Foreign Film, Score; Broadcast Film Critics 1995: Foreign Film.