有些电影值得一看再看，比如《The best of youth》(中文译为《灿烂人生》)。
这部史诗电影由意大利国宝级导演马可·图利欧·吉欧达纳导演执导，于2003年上映，分为上下两部，分别有三个小时的观影时长，虽然电影节奏舒缓，但每个细节都值得斟酌和品味，有些片段则值得一再的观赏和感悟。
帅气而温暖的尼古拉，同样英俊却痛苦的马迪奥，桀骜不驯的茱莉亚，美丽开朗的莱拉米，理性而独立的姐姐乔凡娜，温柔可爱的富朗斯基，乐观风趣的爸爸，美丽而善良的妈妈……每张脸都是那么熟悉而亲切，历经岁月的光影，看到一个意大利普通家庭在时代变迁中的悲欢离合。
或许最打动人心的还是在漫长岁月中亲人、爱人和友人之间的陪伴和牵挂。
最爱尼古拉。正如他的导师所说，因为他具有同情心。也如茱莉亚所说的，他就是这样一个人，无论是男女老幼，疯癫还是正常人，他都一视同仁。他本是自由主义者，对待身边的人，甚至对待自己都是如此。他对任何事情都是随遇而安的态度，本来与同伴们相约去远游，但是因为途中发生的变故，他陪伴哥哥马迪奥和乔治亚去寻找家人，结果乔治亚被遣返，马迪奥又不辞而别，他便随心所欲，四处游走，或与旅途中遇到的人结伴而行，或独自徒步，或留在深山里做伐木工人，停停走走，居无定所，过着吉普赛人一样流浪的生活。直到他在电视上看到佛罗伦萨发生洪灾，便义无反顾地加入志愿者救援大军，回归社会，也在此邂逅了他的爱人茱莉亚。
他对待爱人也是如此，当她发现茱莉亚成为了一个激进的反政府主义者，并且执意要抛弃家庭和女儿离家出走时，虽不舍但仍无奈地放手，一个人静静地抚养着女儿莎拉。他对待身边的人总是那么友善而真诚，即便是旅途中遇到的陌生人，他也能够认真倾听、报以微笑。他对生活中遇到的种种人和事总是怀着一份仁慈之心，就像他对乔治娅，无论她是否还认得他，无论她是疯癫状态还是意识清醒，他总是默默的帮助她，给予她精心的照顾和精神上的鼓励，让她最终恢复了健康，重新回归社会。
电影展示的是一个普通的家庭从1966年到2003年的时代变迁，镜头中有许多美好的时刻，比如在逃离医院的列车上，乔治娅依偎在马迪奥的肩上熟睡，阳光照在他们的脸上和身上，美丽的少女和俊朗的青年，让坐在对面的尼古拉都忍不住看得出神，尽管那是一个精神障碍的女孩；尼古拉初遇茱莉亚是在救灾的间隙，在空旷的大学图书馆，疲惫的志愿者们坐在露天大厅，那些被抢救出来的书籍和乐器堆放在大厅一边，热情而活泼的茱莉亚忍不住弹起了钢琴，尼古拉被茱莉亚弹奏的乐曲所吸引，亦为美丽高雅的的茱莉亚所着迷，两人陷入热恋；妹妹弗朗西斯和尼古拉挚友结为伉俪，在他们的婚礼上，年轻的牧师第一次主持婚礼，因为紧张把女方的名字说错了几次，引起大家的哄笑，气氛变得活跃而轻松。男女老幼们在《我的爱人》的音乐中翩翩起舞，连平常不苟言笑的马迪奥也因为帅气逼人的外表成为女客们追捧的焦点；马迪奥与爱笑的莱拉米再次相遇在米兰的图书馆里，两人午间在室外的长椅上聊天、分享一个苹果，马迪奥第一次看上去那么放松，那么开怀，两人互生好感；新年的晚上，全家人从各个城市相聚在妈妈家里，一起玩游戏，在烟花声中举杯庆祝新年，欢乐祥和。
生活有多欢乐就有多悲伤。一贯风趣乐观的爸爸，在他得知自己罹患绝症后，不动声色的去探望刚出生的小孙女（茱莉亚和尼古拉的女儿），最会赞美女人的他请求茱莉亚为其弹奏一曲，即便固执如茱莉亚也无法拒绝，打开久未触摸的钢琴为其弹奏了一曲。因为知道两个儿子内心脆弱，他只将病情告诉了大女儿乔凡娜，两人倾心交谈和告别后，爸爸悄然离世；马迪奥在新年之夜的纵身一跃，让一家人陷入深深的哀伤，坚韧的妈妈在尼古拉和弗朗西斯的陪伴下来到马迪奥生前的住处，看着简陋的房间和留下的几本书，三人相拥而泣。失去儿子的母亲在课堂上望着自己的学生们神思飘忽，眼神悲戚，在下课后独自站在楼道的窗户上久久地凝视楼下空荡荡的操场，似乎马迪奥就在那里，令人心碎。幸而，在人生在最后岁月里，妈妈得以与马迪奥唯一的遗腹子相聚，祖孙相伴，两人在海边小镇度过了一段美好而快乐的时光，又让人倍感欣慰。
对于马迪奥的离去，尼古拉最为心痛，他在黑夜里无声的哭泣，回想起马迪奥离开的那个新年夜，两人曾在门口简短的对话和道别，不仅自问“我曾经以为每个人都应该有自己的自由，可自由的代价却是死亡”。直到他无意中发现马迪奥的一张照片陈列的美术展馆，通过寻找，尼古拉找到了马迪奥生前的恋人莱米拉，两人交谈良久，才更深的理解了马迪奥的选择。
乔治亚是一个被父亲和继母抛弃的少女，因为生母去世造成轻微抑郁，而被送到精神病院，但是由于恶劣的治疗环境和电击等野蛮的治疗方式，使得乔治亚渐渐成了一个重症的精神障碍患者，是马迪奥将她偷偷带离医院，并且和尼古拉一起带她返回故乡。一路上乔治亚也对马迪奥和尼古拉产生了依恋。回到故乡后，但乔治亚的父亲却拒绝接收她，让她回去医院。无奈之下，三个人在小镇游荡时，小镇的警察发现了乔治亚行为异常，将其带走遣返。马迪奥懊恼之下，独自去参军。
马迪奥从小读书用功，但是不善与人沟通；嫉恶如仇、又性情暴躁，他想拯救乔治亚，想做一番事业，但是现实却让他感受到不公，让他无能为力。他对自己缺乏自信，对待喜欢的女孩，也总是时而亲近，时而疏离；对待父母家人亦然，内心虽然深深爱着他们，却总是以逃离和背叛的方式，面对他们。他一直为理想而活，无法与现世和解，最终选择了自杀。
人生是一场漫长的告别，欢乐与悲伤时时相伴，有人匆匆离去，也有人迎面而来。生命不息，唯有爱和陪伴，才会让平凡的人生释放出璀璨的光芒。
作者简介：王烨，西北政法1998级校友，前检察官，现执业律师。
（本文系作者原创，图片来自网络，转载敬请注明出处。 ）
Here’s the English translation:
Some films are worth watching again and again, such as “La meglio gioventù” (translated into Chinese as “The Best of Youth” ).
This epic film, directed by the Italian national treasure Marco Tullio Giordana, was released in 2003. It is divided into two parts, each with a three-hour runtime. Although the film has a slow pace, every detail is worth pondering and savoring, and some scenes are worth repeated viewing and reflection.
Handsome and warm Nicola, equally handsome yet troubled Matteo, rebellious Julia, beautiful and cheerful Laila, rational and independent sister Giovanna, gentle and lovely Francesca, optimistic and humorous father, and beautiful and kind mother… each face is so familiar and intimate. Through the passage of time, we see the joys and sorrows of an ordinary Italian family amidst the changes of the era.
Perhaps the most touching aspect is the companionship and concern between family members, lovers, and friends over the long years.
I love Nicola the most. As his mentor said, he has compassion. As Julia described, he treats everyone equally, regardless of age, gender, sanity, or insanity. He is a liberal at heart, treating those around him, and even himself, with the same attitude. He is always adaptable to circumstances. Although he originally planned a long trip with his companions, when unexpected events occur, he accompanies his brother Matteo and Georgia to search for family members. As a result, Georgia is deported, and Matteo leaves without a word. Nicola then roams freely, traveling with people he meets, hiking alone, or staying in the mountains as a lumberjack, living a nomadic life like a gypsy. When he sees on TV that Florence is flooded, he unhesitatingly joins the volunteer rescue team and returns to society, where he meets his lover Julia.
He treats his lover in the same way. When he discovers that Julia has become a radical anti-government activist and insists on abandoning her family and daughter to leave, he reluctantly lets her go and quietly raises their daughter Sara alone. He is always so friendly and sincere towards those around him, even strangers he meets on his journey. He listens attentively and responds with a smile. He approaches all people and events in life with a merciful heart, just as he does with Georgia, whether she recognizes him or not, whether she is in a state of madness or sanity. He silently helps her, gives her meticulous care and spiritual encouragement, allowing her to eventually recover and reintegrate into society.
The film depicts the transformation of an ordinary family from 1966 to 2003. There are many beautiful moments in the film, such as on the train escaping from the hospital, where Georgia snuggles against Matteo’s shoulder and sleeps, with sunlight on their faces and bodies. The beautiful girl and handsome young man make Nicola, who is sitting opposite, unable to look away, even though she is a mentally ill girl; Nicola first meets Julia during a break in the rescue operation, in a spacious university library where tired volunteers sit in an open hall, with rescued books and instruments piled in one corner. The enthusiastic and lively Julia can’t help but play the piano, and Nicola is drawn to her music and captivated by the elegant Julia, leading to a passionate romance; Nicola’s sister Frances and his best friend marry, and at their wedding, the young priest, nervous and making several mistakes with the bride’s name, causes laughter and lightens the mood. Everyone, young and old, dances to the music of “My Beloved,” and even the usually stern Matteo becomes the focus of admiration from female guests due to his striking appearance; Matteo and the cheerful Laila meet again in the Milan library, chatting and sharing an apple on an outdoor bench during lunch, and Matteo looks relaxed and happy for the first time, and they develop mutual affection; On New Year’s Eve, the whole family reunites at their mother’s home from different cities, plays games, and celebrates the New Year with fireworks, creating a joyful and peaceful atmosphere.
Life is as filled with joy as it is with sorrow. The usually humorous and optimistic father, upon learning he is terminally ill, visits his newborn granddaughter (Julia and Nicola’s daughter) with a calm demeanor. As the greatest admirer of women, he requests Julia to play a piece on the piano, and even the stubborn Julia cannot refuse, playing a piece she had not touched in a long time. Knowing his two sons are emotionally fragile, he only tells his eldest daughter Giovanna about his illness. After their heartfelt conversation and farewell, the father quietly passes away; Matteo’s leap on New Year’s Eve plunges the family into deep mourning. The resilient mother, accompanied by Nicola and Frances, visits Matteo’s former residence, looking at the modest room and the few books left behind, and the three embrace and weep. The mother, having lost her son, gazes absentmindedly at her students in class, her eyes filled with sadness. After class, she stands alone at the window in the hallway, staring at the empty playground below, as if Matteo were there, which is heart-wrenching. Fortunately, in her final years, the mother is able to reunite with Matteo’s only posthumous child, and they spend a happy and wonderful time together in a seaside town, which is comforting.
Nicola is most pained by Matteo’s departure. He silently cries in the dark, recalling their brief conversation and farewell on New Year’s Eve, and questions himself, “I once thought everyone should have their own freedom, but the cost of freedom is death.” Until he inadvertently discovers a photo of Matteo displayed in an art gallery, and through his search, Nicola finds Matteo’s former lover, Lemira. Their conversation helps him understand Matteo’s choice more deeply.
Georgia is a girl abandoned by her father and stepmother, who was sent to a mental hospital due to mild depression from her mother’s death. However, due to the harsh treatment environment and barbaric methods like electroshock therapy, Georgia gradually became a severe mental illness patient. It was Matteo who secretly took her out of the hospital and, with Nicola, returned her to her hometown. Along the way, Georgia also grew attached to Matteo and Nicola. Upon returning to her hometown, Georgia’s father refused to take her back, sending her back to the hospital. Helpless, the three of them wandered in the small town until the town’s police noticed Georgia’s abnormal behavior and took her away for deportation. In frustration, Matteo joins the military alone.
Matteo, diligent in his studies since childhood but poor at communication, is passionate about justice and has a volatile temperament. He wants to save Georgia and achieve something significant, but reality makes him feel powerless and unjust. He lacks self-confidence, and towards the girl he likes, he is sometimes close and sometimes distant; the same goes for his parents and family. Although he deeply loves them, he always escapes and betrays them. He lives for ideals, unable to reconcile with the world, and ultimately chooses suicide.
Life is a long farewell, with joy and sorrow accompanying each other. Some leave in a hurry, while others come face to face. Life continues, and only love and companionship can make an ordinary life shine brightly.
Author’s Bio: Wang Ye, an alumnus of Northwest University of Political Science and Law, Class of 1998, former prosecutor, and now practicing lawyer.
(This article is original to the author; images are from the internet. Please cite the source if reprinting.)
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