Cinema_sospeso

"La Buca," brought to life by director Daniele Ciprì, is a unique, stylish, and underrated classic that truly deserves more recognition. This eccentric Italian comedy offers a fresh and captivating twist on the timeless art of legal hustling while weaving a narrative of redemption, camaraderie, and unwavering canine loyalty.

What makes "La Buca" shine is its exceptional ability to effortlessly blend humor with moments of heartfelt introspection. The on-screen chemistry between Sergio Castellitto and Rocco Papaleo is nothing short of brilliant, smoothly transitioning between humor and emotion. Castellitto's portrayal of the cunning yet fraudulent Oscar is outstanding, while Papaleo's Armando radiates an irresistible charm that captures hearts.

It's astonishing that a film of this calibre has remained under the radar. "La Buca" stands as a hidden gem, a testament to the remarkable talent within the Italian film industry. With its strong performances, witty script, and impeccable cinematography, it's a cinematic experience that shouldn't be overlooked. Don't miss the chance to discover a delightful blend of humour and heart that will leave you thoroughly charmed. Bravo, Ciprì!

Ugo Tognazzi and Mariangela Melato have great chemistry and give a solid performance in what appears to be a boring film only to the superficial (re)viewer. Basically Tognazzi is a Vet who, after becoming an officer, has served as doctor in the Italian Army since WW2 and is obsessed by the idea of being promoted to become a general. There are some truly memorable scenes, like the 'fanfara' platoon doing 183 laps because of the absent minded commander (Mario Scaccia), and the moment Tognazzi presents his memoirs to a panel of generals is simply pure genius. This is the director's debut feature so it is not perfect in terms of pace: but it is well crafted and well acted. Give it a chance and you won't be disappointed.

I am not sure why there is such animosity towards this film from the other reviewers! Charleston s a bit different from the usual Bud Spencer films: so what? The fight scene is a bit later than usual, but it's well worth the wait. Think of a mix between 'Odds and Evens', 'The Sting' and 'Pink Panther', with plenty of good slapstick: Spencer's co-protagonists Herbert Lom and James Coco are actually hilarious, especially Coco's running joke of the telephone getting tangled. Art direction is pretty good, especially at the end, with the big fight in the theatre and the elaborate choreographs. Perhaps it's a bit of an acquired taste, but needs to be watched again to be fully appreciated.