Mario Ruoppolo is a fictional character from the film Il Postino, directed by Michael Radford. He is a simple postman living on a small Italian island, who develops a friendship with the famous poet Pablo Neruda. In the story, Mario learns about poetry and love through his interactions with Neruda, which transforms his life. His character represents the power of art and communication, as he uses poetry to express his feelings for a local woman named Beatrice. Mario's journey highlights the impact of creativity on everyday life.