If you’re American, you have been deprived of some of the best new comedy that Italy has to offer.
Kryptonite Nella Borsa is Ivan Cotroneo’s story of a boy in need of a superhero during a chaotic time in the life of his family. Cotroneo, a writer for Rolling Stone Italia, put together one of my favorite soundtracks of all time, and the 70s look and dialogue is right on. Kryptonite screened at New York’s Open Roads; New Italian Cinema, and then I never heard of it again. Stars Valeria Golino, as the boy’s depressed mom.
Amiche Da Morire (Friends To Die For) makes me giggle every time I think about it. Three women in a small village become accidental besties after something bad happens that affects them all. Claudia Gerini, Cristiana Capotondi, and Sabrina Impacciatore are adorable riots as the three women and I think director Giorgia Farina probably had a little too much fun making this comedy about women taking charge of their destinies.
Scusate De Esisto (Excuse Me For Living) – Starring Raoul Bova and Paola Cortellesi, is a comic delight on so many levels. It feels like a romantic comedy, but there’s no romance between Francesco and Serena; he’s gay. Their friendship, and the fact that Bova is just so darned hot, makes it fun for everybody. Scusate Se Esisto hit Italian cinemas in December and I think Americans would love it.
I Più Grandi di Tutti is from Paolo Virzì’s little brother Carlo, probably better known as a musician. He had his own band and he does the soundtracks for Paolo’s movies, but the movie that he directed is a real treat. When a one hit wonder rock band gets the chance to reunite for a lot of money, it’s not as easy as you’d think it would be for these hapless losers.
Il Giorni in Più got horrible reviews in Italy and I will never understand why. Written by, directed by, and starring Fabio Volo, it’s a sweet rom-com also starring Isabella Ragonese as a girl who a guy sees on the way to work everyday and decides he has to know. They said it’s “too Hollywood”, but I think it’s Hollywood just enough.
L’Uomo Perfetto is one of my favorite romantic comedies of all time, right up there with When Harry Met Sally and Bridget Jones’s Diary. When Lucia’s best friend Maria steals the man of her dreams, Lucia takes desperate measures to get him back. Scusa! We all know girls like Maria! Stars Riccardo Scamarcio, directed by Luca Lucini.
Una Famiglia Perfetta is the Italian version of Bad Santa, a dark comedy that is, at times, so disturbing that you know you shouldn’t be laughing; but you do. Stars Sergio Castellito, Claudia Gerini, and Marco Giallini. Papa Leone longs for the perfect family, so he rents one for Christmas.
Smetto Quando Voglio is for those of you who loved Breaking Bad but would like it less violent and a little funnier, Young Sydney Sibilia directs this comedy starring Edoardo Leo, who plays a jobless college professor who decides that education is the not the only use for his skills.
Benvenuti Al Sud is one of the biggest mysteries of the modern age. This hilarious comedy about a guy from the north who gets transferred to – Oh no! – the south would be a giant hit with Italian Americans if no one else, and why it never made it here is just crazy. Stars Claudio Bisio, Angela Finocchiaro, and Alessandro Siani.
Tu La Conosci Claudia is one of those comedies that I have watched 100 times and laughed until I cried each and every time. The comedy trio of Aldo, Giovanni and Giacomo together with the beautiful Paola Cortellesi is magic, and it’s easy to see why everyone loves Claudia.
I Love Italian Everything 