sergio.mannu Reviews

Polvere di stelle (1973)

Irresistible!

[9/10 · 5 April 2003]

After "Amore mio aiutami", the irresistible couple Alberto Sordi-Monica Vitti gives another memorable sample of prowess with "Polvere di stelle", probably the best of their lucky artistic association. If translated in English, "Polvere di stelle" means "Star dust": a perfect title thinking that the homonymous song was very popular during the 40's -in which the plot is mainly placed- and bitterly consistent with the narrated vicissitudes. "Polvere di stelle", in fact, deals with the tragicomic story of a couple of Italian artists, Dea Dani (Monica Vitti) and Mimmo Adami (Alberto Sordi), great stars of the "avanspettacolo" during the Second World War and successively fallen into oblivion. "Avanspettacolo", i.e. the introductory variety turn highly popular in Italy till the beginning of 60's, was characterized by poor means and a low artistic level: actors were slightly more than strolling players, dancers and musicians often came short of expectation and the scripts were rough and silly. Nevertheless, public beloved "avanspettacolo" because its performances were cheap and not seldom very enjoyable. Unfortunately, the arrival of television and the change of trends decreed its unavoidable end. Many of its artists were soon forgotten, obeying to the hard rule that was already the leit-motiv of Chaplin's "Limelights". Also Dea Dani and Mimmo Adami do not escape from such a law: in 1973, old and penniless, while looking for a manager with the weak hope to be hired for a show, they stop a group of passers-by telling them their story made of hunger, success, flirts and delusions. Their tale, which is a flash-back into the 40's, is thus the occasion to assist not only to a charming sequence of "avanspettacolo" numbers but also to give a singular and picturesque portrait of Italy across the Second World War.

Alberto Sordi is both director and main character of a movie for which the word "masterpiece" is not exaggerated. The witty remarks, the nice choreographies and the amusing songs composed by an inspired Piero Piccioni testify that "Polvere di stelle" is a moved homage to the world in which Sordi actually developed his endless talent. Monica Vitti is his ideal partner, as usual: Roman like him, her participation is always sparkling and delicious, thanks also to a genuine and never coarse sex-appeal. An extraordinary movie, then, that cannot lack in the collection of all the Italian comedy's lovers.

Will Our Heroes Be Able to Find Their Friend Who Has Mysteriously Disappeared in Africa? (1968)

One of the best Italian comedies.

[8 April 2001]

This marvellous film is an authentic masterpiece, perhaps among the best products of the Italian cinema. The confrontation of two different human kinds, the enterprising editor Fausto Di Salvio (Alberto Sordi) and his shabby book-keeper Ubaldo Palmarini, interpreted by an extraordinary Bernard Blier, is the main source of an intelligent and never ending comicality. The two protagonists reach Africa in search for Mr. Di Salvio's brother-in-law, Oreste Sabatini (Nino Manfredi), who disappeared in the Black Continent without giving news of himself anymore. The trip, full of unbelievable adventures, becomes also for the watcher the occasion to taste the beauty of an uncorrupted nature and to distinguish the true values of life from the silly and stressing habits of modern society. An elegant soundtrack signed by Armando Trovajoli is the perfect musical comment for this movie, skilfully directed by Ettore Scola, which confirms again his limpid talent of master of the Italian comedy.

Arrivano i gatti (1980)

A little jewel of comicality.

[9/10 · 11 March 2001]

Full of irresistible gags, this film is inspired to an eccentric sense of humour peculiar of the Jewish tradition, to which the "Gatti di Vicolo Miracoli" declare to recall. These comedians were very popular in Italy at the end of '70s, when they divided their ways to continue the career on their own. Jerry Calà as a trash playboy, Nini Salerno as a penniless intellectual, Franco Oppini out of mind like Disney's Goofy and Umberto Smaila fat and smiling musician are absolutely extraordinary, in a movie that is a little jewel of comicality and intelligence. They are four witty guys of Verona who want to become famous in the world of cinema. Involved in a lot of amusing adventures, they will finally hit their target with great satisfaction. Last but not least, the movie is supported by an excellent soundtrack, which title song ("Verona beat") stirs up with effectiveness the nostalgia for a youth which goes away more and more.

Cattivi pensieri (1976)

Evil thoughts, bad film.

[5 March 2001]

The great Ugo Tognazzi is the director and main actor of an ugly movie that is not comic but highly erotic, at the limit of the hard-core. This can obviously hurt all the spectators expecting a typical Italian comedy as in Tognazzi's tradition. The numerous male and female integral nudes and the explicit sex scenes are offered in a patinated but psychologically disturbed way. Only the solar presence of Edwige Fenech, at the utmost of her extraordinary sex-appeal, smoothes the sick and maniac atmosphere crossing all the movie. The plot is simple: Ugo Tognazzi (Mario Marani) is a lawyer of Milan who is obsessed in thinking to be betrayed by his splendid wife Francesca (Edwige Fenech). After one hundred minutes of evil thoughts, he will have evidence that his wife is faithful, while he is taking the plane together with his secretary and lover (Verushka).