One is tempted to call this the definite rendering on film of perhaps the best opera ever created, as everything in it lives up to the constantly brilliant ingenious and wonderful music, which even Puccini himself would find it hard to ever be able to surpass. Mirella Freni is the perfect Mimí, Gianni Raimondi is quite equal to his character, and so are all the others. The scenery plays an important part, this is Zeffirelli's contribution to the production, all perfectly realistic to bring to life Paris in the 1840s. Adriana Martino as Musetta adds a flamboyant comedienne performance to the show, and Ivo Vinco as the philosopher (bass) adds an important spicy flavour of sombreness to the final act. This is a classical film of a classical opera, and it will go on being watched and loved and admired and enjoyed for all times, with both plenty of laughter and tears and deep afterthought.
It is unique in Puccini's opera production, dealing with poor people having a difficult time in winter in the company of approaching death, and is the first poignant manifestation of Puccini's deep humanity and compassion - the original novel by Henri Murger is much more sardonic and ironic and almost callous in its detachment, while Puccini by the music makes the story and characters and their humanity pierce the heart. He would never again come this close to the heart of the matter of humanity.
