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Totò e Carolina (1955)
A vehicle for Toto's comedic prowess
Totò e Carolina
As is often the case in his films, Totò dominates the screen in Totò e Carolina. Anna Maria Ferrero is not convincing in the role of Carolina, but that is probably a shortcoming of the script rather than her acting performance - the character is not well defined and her lines are far from memorable. In viewing this movie so many years after it was created, some unexpected elements emerge: it opens a window into a bygone era in a way that most period pieces cannot do. Totò plays a policeman in post World War II Italy. Carolina is swept in a prostitution raid, although she is not a prostitute. While in custody she attempts suicide, and Totò is entrusted with the task of returning her to her family out in the country.
A number of adventures take place as Totò goes about completing the assigned task. There is a considerable age gap between Totò and Carolina, so that romance does not play a role, although there are plenty of opportunities for Totò to display his kind of humor, often as a straight man. A vicar says, "I ask your permission to be amazed," several times. Totò finally turns the table before the vicar can once again ask permission by granting it. Carolina is shown a clay modeling of a bust - a Totò hobby - and she's asked to identify the person, the 'very important person.' Carolina shrugs and replies, "Mussolini." Totò's expression, with his incredibly plastic face, show his chagrin. A road encounter with a truck full of communists says more about the politics of the era than any chronicle: Totò police uniform is a symbol of the authority that the communists disdain, but when his vehicle runs off the road the truck stops and everyone helps to recover the vehicle - the exchanges are civil, and everyone demonstrates respect.
So, no spectacular vignettes, only Totò's presence, his very unique performance style, and a peek into a landscape that has mostly vanished. As an Italian who came to America at about the time this film was made - and an ardent Totò fan as an adolescent - I found the film compelling as a nostalgic trip. Totò never had much of a following outside of Italy, and this movie is not likely to gain new followers.
Copenhagen (2002)
Esoteric
Here's a quick review of the physics connected with the atomic bomb, plus an intriguing episode in the history of the world. It may be argued that Nazi Germany simply did not have the resources to conduct a Manhattan Project type of endeavor, but at the time no one knew for sure what it would take. As one who has not seen the play, I am satisfied with the performance of the three actors: dramatic considerations occasionally interfere with the pace of the narrative, and the subject matter is esoteric. Later in the war, Heisenberg was targeted for assassination, but the envoy sent to do the job (during a Heisenberg trip to Switzerland) decided not to proceed because he realized that Germany was not working to produce a bomb. There's an excellent book by Thomas Powers, "Heisenberg's War," that covers the topic in some detail.
Uomini e nobiluomini (1959)
Nobless Oblige Italian nobleman to keep his niece from marrying a commoner
This is a light comedy that might be hard to understand by other than an Italian audience. Following the second world war and the abolition of the monarchy, Italian noblemen fell on hard times, although nobility was still regarded with awe by the majority of the public. Nonetheless, the penniless noblemen were often depicted as objects of ridicule even as commoners aspired to the now meaningless titles. Uomini e Gentiluomini is a story about the love between a commoner and a titled woman whose uncle does everything he can to prevent the two from marrying. The uncle is played with verve by Vittorio De Sica, one of the foremost Actors/Directors of postwar Italy. The movie sees the first appearance of Elke Sommer, whose role of a housemaid speaking with the accent of the Venetian dialect is spirited and worthy of note, but the rest of the cast delivers predictable performances. Sylvia Pinal, who plays the part of the niece somewhat laconically, went on to become an iconic Mexican actress. De Sica and Sommer fans may want to look this one up, but overall it's hardly worth the effort.
Addio, giovinezza! (1940)
Mediocre production of student's love story/comedy
The film is described as a comedy, but a more accurate description would be as a love story. A medical student at Turin's university, Adriano Rimoldi, is romantically involved with a seamstress, Maria Denis, but cheats on her with a vamp type, veteran actress Clara Calamai. The story line is simple and generally well acted, although the best performance is provided by the student's friend, Carlo Campanini, who carries most of the action and gives the film its character. It is a mediocre production, with a side-glance of approval to fascism through the song "Giovinezza" (youth), but it does have a few fascinating insights into the mores of the era. Our hero justifies cheating on his girl friend by stating that, "An oath does not need to be kept if given to a woman." After graduation, his girl friend calls him Doctor, and at the end of the film both protagonists declare their love for each other, yet they separate, apparently for good. Perhaps it is a statement about class differences, where the doctor and the seamstress know their respective place in society, but the film's point of view is not clear – is it an indictment or is an approval? Given the year it was filmed, 1940, with Europe at war and Fascist censors hard at work, it may be that director Ferdinando Poggioli played it safe.