I’m one of those inconsiderate Netflix members that keeps discs way too long, and so when I was gathering up what I have at home and deciding what to send back I found something that I’d forgotten existed from 2005: Nessun Messaggio in Segreteria ( Sorry, You Can’t Get Through).
It stars Pierfrancesco Favino, a big star from movies like Cosavogliodipiù (Come Undone) and ACAB, and American movies like Spike Lee’s Miracle at St. Anna, but it still had the look of a Lifetime movie.
I love Lifetime movies.
It’s just low-budget, that’s all, but very cute and entertaining. It begins with Sonia, a stripper, explaining something on her video diary that is actually quite insightful. Her theory is that it’s not love, or lack of love that causes all the pain in the world, but a lack of talent. So when timid Piero, played by Francesco Favino, is living a boring and depressing life on account of his lack of talent, he’s lucky to meet Walter, who for reasons of his own wants to help.
Having read somewhere that for every retired worker there’s a new, young employee to take his place, Walter, retired and in need of things to occupy his time, decides to find “His” replacement and take care of him. He’s successful, a little too successful, and timid Piero becomes ladies’ man Piero, so changed that the new Piero is played by Valerio Mastandrea (La Prima Cosa Bella).
I love Pierfrancesco Favino but Walter, played by Carlo Delle Piane, is the star of this show. Delle Piane has made dozens of films beginning in the ’40s and has worked with the most important Italian directors and actors like Sordi, Toto, Fabrizi. He’s a blast from the past for those of you that miss the old Italian comedies, with a cranky and distinctive style that is adorable.
I have a feeling that I may have Netflix’s only copy of this movie so I’ll send it back today – give it a few days if you’d like to rent it. It’s a romantic comedy, I’ve been on the lookout for them, and one with a cantankerous old man playing a very reluctant cupid.
Pierfrancesco Favino … Piero – the timid one
Carlo Delle Piane … Walter
Lorenza Indovina … Francesca
Valerio Mastandrea … Piero – the ladies man
Anna Falchi … Sonia
Nicole Murgia … Sara
I Love Italian Everything 