I agree with guy-bellinger that this is a neglected little gem. Its box-office probably wasn't helped by the uninspiring title, and by having a star who wasn't one of the great names of Italian comedy films. I suspect that Walter Chiari was cast because Vittorio Gassman, who starred in many of Dino Risi's films, wasn't available, but he's perfect as Dino Versini, a ridiculous, boastful, lying man-child (think Donald Trump, but with an important difference: for all his faults, Dino is extremely likeable.) He's a chancer whose get - rich - quick schemes always come unstuck, but despite mockery, from boys playing football and the singing twins, he ploughs on. However, during the course of the day with his son he gradually develops some maturity and sense of responsibility. He's let his son down by reading his very private diary, and let down his girlfriend Elsa by sponging off her. When she says she's had enough and is leaving him he comes to his senses ( the thought of losing Michelle Mercier would bring any man to his senses.) He agrees to take a proper, regular job at last.
The final scene , in which Dino lets off firecrackers, reminded me of Albert Finney as Arthur Seaton throwing stones at the end of "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning." Both characters choose to settle down: some may see their conforming as a defeat, but for me it's more a case of finally growing up.
The final scene , in which Dino lets off firecrackers, reminded me of Albert Finney as Arthur Seaton throwing stones at the end of "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning." Both characters choose to settle down: some may see their conforming as a defeat, but for me it's more a case of finally growing up.