THE POSTMAN (IL POSTINO)

THE POSTMAN presents a charming and simple story about a shy postman named Mario Rouppolo who makes an unlikely friendship with writer in exile, Pablo Neruda, and learns from him the art of writing love poetry. Mario wants to learn how to impress women, or at least one woman, so Pablo takes Mario down to the sea to inspire him. There Pablo instructs Mario on the use of metaphors. Emboldened, Mario goes to a local business to speak with the object of his attention: beautiful Beatrice Russo. Mario sends Beatrice some verbatim poetry from the book, and Pablo rebukes him. Mario says, “poetry doesn’t belong to those who write it, but to those who need it.” Touched by these words, Pablo assents and Beatrice eventually agrees to marry Mario, and Pablo returns to his native Chile.

THE POSTMAN provides taste and restraint to the subject of wooing woman through romantic language. (This provides a stark contrast to the much-too-blatant DON JUAN DE MARCO.) All acting performances demonstrate genuine realism and respect for the characters. The plot and story line, though simple, provide a genuine slice of life found on this island nation. The photography though basic, adequately complements the action. Containing little bad language and mild sexual suggestions, this Italian film presents a refreshing and relatively clean look at chivalry.