The Postman

PG

Released Jun 14, 1995

1 hr. 56 min.

Romance

Biography

Comedy

Drama

List

94%

35 Reviews

Tomatometer

94%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Mario Ruoppolo, the mailman on an Italian island, pines from afar for a beautiful waitress. But when exiled Chilean poet Pablo Neruda comes to live on the island, Ruoppolo delivers Neruda's mail and picks up lessons on love, life and poetry.

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Critics Consensus

Il Postino movingly explores themes of love and friendship through sensitively depicted -- and beautifully acted -- relationships in 1950s Italy.

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Alec B

Slightly charming but this is typical Miramax awards bait.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/13/23

Full Review

Leaburn O

This film was charming 👍🏼

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/11/23

Full Review

Mark A

An engaging, small foreign film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/16/22

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Jorge M

photography on this is beautiful and the story very well told

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/04/22

Full Review

isla s

I thought this was a lovely, charming film. It has some nice scenery and delightful characters. I enjoyed the explanations of metaphors and poetry, how they can be used to help express feelings and the like. Its got a bit of a slow plot I suppose but its not all about the plot - the setting and philosophical angles are very nice. I particularly like the titular character, the postman Mario Ruoppolo - a quite shy and reserved, yet curious person who slowly becomes more and more interested in the poets life and understanding of his profession as a writer. I also liked that there is a subtle social political side to it as well, in terms of the reactions by older generations to what happens - it gives the film, whats explained, a deeper meaning I feel somehow. I won't elaborate so as not to provide any unnecessary spoilers. I thought it didn't seem too 'up itself' and I very much enjoyed watching it, so I'd recommend it to others.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

William L

The Postman is a good indication of the shift in dramatic film in recent years, where 'impactful' storylines need to be accompanied by sweeping scores and emotional crescendos; this film co-written by and starring Massimo Troisi is small in scope and incremental in its progression, chronicling the personal exploration of expression by Troisi's Mario in a down-to-earth way, coinciding with the development of relationships that are both romantic and friendly. The stakes are never particularly high, but the ultimate reflection on Mario's character development is plenty rewarding if a bit sanitized and sentimental. Led largely by Troisi's subdued and sweet performance, The Postman is not excessive but upon reflection may surprise you with the evolution of its protagonist's inner voice. (3/5)

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/18/22

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Michael Radford

Director

Massimo Troisi

Mario Ruoppolo

Philippe Noiret

Pablo Neruda

Maria Grazia Cucinotta

Beatrice Russo

Linda Moretti

Donna Rosa

Renato Scarpa

Telegrapher

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Nigel Andrews

Financial Times

Il Postino is an enchanted, sun-touched film.

Mar 17, 2021

Full Review

Geoff Brown

Times (UK)

This is a film with a heart and soul; a film keyed to the wonderful performance by actor and director Massimo Troisi.

Mar 17, 2021

Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B+

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Sheila Reid

Women in the Life

A touching Italian love story.

May 13, 2022

Full Review

Mal Vincent

The Virginian-Pilot

This, however, is a one-man show, and it all belongs to the sorrowful, mellow face of Troissi, who turns in one of the best performances of this movie year...

Rated: 3.5/4

Mar 14, 2022

Full Review

Jas Keimig

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

I was captivated by the Massimo Troisi's performance as Mario.

Jan 31, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

Mario Ruoppolo, the mailman on an Italian island, pines from afar for a beautiful waitress. But when exiled Chilean poet Pablo Neruda comes to live on the island, Ruoppolo delivers Neruda's mail and picks up lessons on love, life and poetry.

Director: Michael Radford
Screenwriter: Anna Pavignano, Michael Radford, Furio Scarpelli, Giacomo Scarpelli, Antonio Skármeta, Massimo Troisi
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax, Cecchi Gori Group Tiger Cinema
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance, Biography, Comedy, Drama
Original Language: Italian
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 14, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 17, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $17.1M
Sound Mix: Surround

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