Il Postino: The Postman

Name: Il Postino: The Postman
Genre: Biography, Drama, Comedy, Romance
Released: June 14, 1995
Duration: 108 min
Rating: 81
Cast: Massimo Troisi

1995

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 13 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	Your Score
7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Miramax Films | Release Date: June 14, 1995 | PG

Starring: Massimo Troisi

Summary: On an island off the coast of Italy, a young postman's world is changed when he begins delivering letters to the exiled poet Pablo Neruda.

Director: Massimo Troisi and Michael Radford

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Comedy, Romance

Rating: PG

Runtime: 108 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

James Berardinelli

A charming piece of cinema that takes several comfortable formulas and expands upon them in ingenious and emotionally-satisfying ways. Read full review

100

Peter Stack

An unforgettable, poetic romance from Italy whose disarming humor, blushing encounters and bittersweet flavors are certain to set off a groundswell of smiles, tears and regret. Read full review

Janet Maslin

A rueful, warmly affecting film featuring a wonderful performance by Mr. Troisi, The Postman would be attention-getting even without the sadness that overshadows it. [14 June 1995, p. C15] Read full review

Hal Hinson

An enchanting Italian serio-comedy about the most unlikely of cinematic subjects-the origins, structure and reach of poetry. Read full review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

The film's warmth and sympathy are underlined by some intelligence. Read full review

Alison Macor

With lyrical beauty and memorable performances, The Postman articulates many feelings that seem to defy explanation. Read full review

Barbara Shulgasser

Troisi, who was a star in Italy, hasn't been seen widely in the United States, and from this film it is difficult to be certain how he achieved his fame. Read full review

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User Reviews

RuthC

Jan 5, 2007

A beautiful film. The scenery alone is worth watching it for, if not the poetry, then the great performances.

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EpicLadySponge

Apr 30, 2016

Il Postino: The Postman shows how mail carriers can even be the great heroes in some way to the other. Okay, I'm not sure if that phrase is true or not, but who cares?

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DamindraL.

Nov 20, 2006

This movie has a very sentimental and poetic plot, which diffrentiates it from some hollywood movies. The reason people seem to more or less dislike this movie is because it does not have tragic and dramatic twists in its plot. Il Postino can be appreciated by an older audience rather than This movie has a very sentimental and poetic plot, which diffrentiates it from some hollywood movies. The reason people seem to more or less dislike this movie is because it does not have tragic and dramatic twists in its plot. Il Postino can be appreciated by an older audience rather than the younger. Overall, the movie wasn't terrible however it wasn't great either.… Expand

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tonyGreen

Apr 12, 2021

Low key and low budget, but a real charmer. A very personal tale of relationships that dances around poetry, class and politics. Great acting and a beautiful setting.

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hanneguacamole

Nov 20, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I've always wanted to watch Il Postino, ever since it was hanging on the wall for 4 years in my high school Italian classroom. This was my chance! Mario is ... boring. His life is boring, where he lives is boring. Pablo Neruda changes him forever. It's hard to say where Mario would be without a change, but this one odd job led him to be inspired not only through poetry but through life ideologies and eventually find his wife and even have a son. His life isn't without sadness though – no resolve is had when the man who lived such a simple life and hasn't truly gotten to experience it yet is abandoned by his best friend and is eventually killed while listening to the life Pablo lived. Ironic, yet a story of simplicity and quietness.… Expand

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16	#16 Best Movie of 1995
66	#66 Most Discussed Movie of 1995
45	#45 Most Shared Movie of 1995