How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Life Is Beautiful.
Quote #1
GUIDO: You fell asleep while talking to me! How did you do that?
FERRUCIO: Schopenhauer.
GUIDO: Who?
FERRUCIO: Schopenhauer says that with willpower, you can do anything. "I am what I want to be." Right now, I want to sleep, so I was saying to myself, "I'm sleeping, sleeping," and I fell asleep.
GUIDO: Amazing. And it's simple. I want to try, too. I'm sleeping, sleeping, sleeping—
Let's set aside that these two middle-aged men are having the most uncomfortable sleepover ever. Here, the movie introduces the concept of willpower, and how it can help people accomplish their goals.
Quote #2
GUIDO: Look at me, Princess. Go on, I'm down here. Look at me, Princess. Turn around, Princess.
Guido tries out his new willpower, um, power, and we see that it works. We're guessing the wavy fingers are optional though. After this scene, Guido sets about winning Dora's heart, and wouldn't you know? That works, too.
Quote #3
RODOLFO: Just a few words. You already know it all by now, and you've known for several years. Dora and I were born on the same street. We went to school together, we had the same friends. Dora is the woman of my life, and I'm the man in her life; therefore, we've decided to get married within the year. You're all officially invited on April the 9th to the Basilica of Santa Maria del Pellegrino. And then we'll celebrate till dawn all together, right here, just as happy as we are now.
Rodolfo's willpower, on the other hand, is a total flatline. He doesn't try to win Dora's affections or prove his love for her. He just kind of expects it because that's how it is. He lacks the ability to make any change in his life, and as a result, Dora ditches him for the irrepressible Guido.