Reviews

I really can not understand why two wonderful actresses would have anything to do with this movie. They can not redeem this sort of pretentious horror soap. If your age exceeds 5, you are bound to find the story completely unbelievable and hilariously grotesque. Many parts of the plot are irritating, as they are evidently directed at an audience in desperate need of a brain. On the plus side: the facial expressions of Bette Davis are quite scary.

Who says this is a masterpiece? This movie is not even decent. Disappointing and grotesque: C at best.

Only Alberto Sordi could portray so well an old fashioned man looking for a virtuous wife from his country. Only he could lead you from laughter to cry in no time. Among my favorite scenes, Alberto turned down by awful looking Italian women in a dancing hall. If you really want to enter the world of many Italian immigrants around the globe, then watch this funny, insightful movie.

The true protagonists of this movie are not the characters, but their feelings. In particular, I admired the skills of the director in entering into the desire of the "Danish" for the warmth and liveliness that Italians exhibit. If you can not stand the the fact that the camera is constantly moving and nobody has any make up, then, do not watch it. However, you would miss a funny and heartwarming movie with no frills and enjoyable hidden messages, for example that friendship and love can bring the sun of Italy into one's heart, or that life can always take unexpected turns.

It is so rare to watch a funny masterpiece with so many insights! Sicily in the 50's appears obsessed with a twisted concept of honor, or, better, of an impeccable APPARENT reputation. No other movie I have seen is able to give such a vivid idea of the double morality for men and women that ails the "cultura machista". The character I love most in the movie is the extremely naive sister of the protagonist, who lives in her romantic world and does not realize what kind of tragicomic events are happening around her. In a word, truly a masterpiece.

One day the most terrible nightmare of Mr.Pezzella (Toto'), owner of a chic boutique, comes true: the incorruptible tax inspector Topponi (Aldo Fabrizi), pays him a visit...and their troubles begin. Following the advice of his tax consultant (Luis de Funes), Pezzella tries unsuccessfully to become a friend of Topponi and avoid the prohibitive penalty he should pay.

I tartassati ("Over-taxed" ) is an excellent, extremely funny satire of the all-Italian desire to avoid paying taxes. Not an artsy movie but certainly an underrated one.

After having read the reviews about how surprising this movie was, I saw it and was disappointed. True, a good detective story, but somehow predictable and slightly unconvincing. I love old movies, but this one is not one of my favorites. I would suggest to watch "Witness for the prosecution" instead.

I watched this movie with my husband (he is Mexican, I am Italian) and we literally could not resist to laughter, maybe because we could get the jokes in Italian, which we understand perfectly. Of course, this is not one of those artistic movies leaving you uplifted, but it is entertaining. Moreover, I see it as a satire: my favorite characters are the General, the personified satire of fascism, and the horrible looking countess obsessed with youth and beauty. The ending is surprising as in mistery movie and funny at the same time.

It is not easy to find a movie like this, that makes you laugh and think at the same time. It is like a trip not to Italy, but to the most precious souls and minds of the people of Naples, the real "gold" of this city. A forgotten masterpiece, with exceptional performances by Toto', Sofia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni.

Among the many strengths of this movie: excellent dialogues-better if you understand Spanish-, superb acting even by children, touching and comic -not corny- story, magnificent landscapes and atmospheres. Definitively, an intelligent movie with a big heart.

Pretentious, very boring movie, at times even grotesque. It gives you a few thrills but it is sooo slow paced! All with improbable characters and dialogues. Also the ending is disappointing. I guess it could be an excellent cure for insomnia.

Maybe because I thought this movie was a real thriller, I was so disappointed!! This is one of those boring and odd movies that some people call "artistic". Maybe it is, and I did not get it. Or maybe I am right and you should rather watch something else, more meaningful perhaps.

Instead of characterizing children as angelic creatures without personality or true emotions, Truffaut portrays them as they are: young people with their own dreams and everyday problems. This movie is funny and touching, never slow and always enjoyable.

I expected a slow paced, boring and sad artistic "gem", but ...what a surprise: this movie is really lively, funny and touching. It is a Fellinian look at the people of his hometown. At the end, you will be feeling as being there with them, and be sad when the movie ends.

This is one of the best movies I ever saw. I love everything in it: the witty and sharp dialogues, the superb acting by Bette Davis and Anne Baxter, the fast-paced, original but realistic plot, the sapient photography, and...least but not last, the exceptional, vivid strength of the protagonists. You will be reminded that entertaining movies can be art.

Linda Darnell and Kirk Douglas at their best. Realistic and insightful dialogues. The final scenes are splendid and truly surprising also for the non-naive audience. It is one of the few movies in which women are portrayed as equal to men. A forgotten gem delivered by the Mankiewicz genius.

The best thriller, splendidly directed and acted. An incredible, sensitive and fragile Ingrid Bergman. A perfect ending with memorable words you will never forget. All in a foggy, sinister, marvellous London under the gaslight. Simply perfect.