Ficarra (Salvatore Ficarra) e Picone (Valentino Picone) are a famous Italian TV comical duo. After a short experience as actors in "Nati stanchi" (2002) they decided to jump to the direction of a movie with this "7 e l'8, Il" (2007). I was ready to see the usual collage of TV sketches like Aldo Giovanni e Giacomo in "Tre uomini e una gamba" ( 1997), or Giorgio Panariello in "Bagnomaria" (1999). Generally the TV comics just transport from television to cinema their characters and make movie that rarely are enjoyable from a cinematographic point of view i.e. the ugly "Bean" (1997). When I saw the linear plot, the simple screenplay (maybe too simple), the naïve taste of the cinematographic situations of this movie I was impressed. Ficarra e Picone, with the help of Giambattista Avellino, directs this rare gem of genuine fun. The odd couple reminds us to Franco e Ciccio (Franco Franchi and Ciccio Ingrassia) but with a surreal taste. Don't forget it is their first direction so try to forgive eventual weakness. One thing makes me wonder, Ficarra and Picone succeed to give us a lot of fun without any nudity or bad language, this is incredible if you just think to the last jobs of Neri Parenti, prince (just for profits) of the Italian comical cinema. To give you an idea how this movie is built just think that gags, misunderstandings and funny situations reminded me often to the Benigni's "Johnny stecchino" (1991). Add that they portray finally a sunny, enjoyable Palermo far from the usual mafia clique. In the end we have the added value of a cast that include Arnoldo Foà, Remo Girone and Andrea Tidona. This movie makes me wonder, pleasantly wonder. Worth watching.
Review of Il 7 e l'8
