Humour can help us survive even the most tragic events. But too much of it makes life a joke, as in Roberto Benigni's latest tragi-comedy, The Tiger and The Snow.
Benigni plays Attilio, an Italian poet who falls madly in love with Vittoria (Nicoletta Braschi), a beautiful writer who is compiling a biography of a renowned Iraqi poet (Jean Reno).
The poet follows Vittoria around, seizing every moment to profess his undying love for her in a clownish manner.
Some may find Attilio's determination in pursuing a woman who obviously wants nothing to do with him touching; but most will find his obsession annoying.
One day, Attilio receives a call from the Iraqi poet in Baghdad, who tells him that Vittoria is severely injured in a bombing raid.
Attilio - disguised as a Red Cross volunteer - goes to Iraq and finds the woman of his dreams lying helpless in a run-down hospital. The hospital lacks the medical supplies Vittoria desperately needs.
This is where the movie finally starts to click. Attilio travels across war-torn Iraq to look for the medicine that can save Vittoria's life.