Rating: 
Summary: Scientific troupe of criminals fail hilariously.
Review: Archetypical characters serve as the basis for this 1958 ensemble comedy from Italy. This film outlines the process of a group of very distinct personalities who come together for a robbery and fail miserably in the process. Analyzing the thievery process scientifically, the mastermind of the project is able to figure out exactly which person is needed for exactly which task, and assembles a diverse group of personalities to complete the project.
Each character in the film is very specific, archetypical, and generally universally understood. As the audience is introduced to each character, they realize the type of individual the character is and how they will cause problems down the line.
The audience member will not know how they will specifically do this, but will have an inkling to the nature of the character's eventual failings as their flaws are completely apparent. In other words, an audience member may not know exactly what the character will do, but each is written in such a unique manner that when they do complete their actions the audience has the satisfaction of having an idea that the character will do that. This allows for a duality of known and unknown, allowing the audience member to be on the inside, yet remain wondering how the story will develop. This satisfying give and take is executed very skillfully through very decent direction and high quality camerawork.
This carefree comedy, meant to depart from the neorealist mindset of the time, stars comedic legend Toto alongside the classic Marcello Mastroianni. These, the other actors, and the crew all come together to showcase universal archetypes latent within society, and incite laughter in anyone that has the pleasure of viewing such a great story.
Rating:
Summary: Great Satire
Review: Have you ever seen a cast of low lifes going through the motions of a great heist? Well, get your bandages out ..you will need them to contain yourself. The sight gags alone will drive you crazy and thats only if you catch them all.Mastroianna, Gassman et all are aboslutely hysterical. Marcello has to babysit while his wife is in jail...and check out who is always eating the baby food. As deft as it gets..a one of a kind film.
Rating:
Summary: This movie will never get old.
Review: I just saw this movie for the first time about a year ago. I must have watched it at least 100 times and every time is like the first time. The characters are so lovable it's impossible to not like this film. This movie could cheer up even the saddest person. I reccomend it to anyone who appreciates a good comedy. I do so cause it's the best I've seen and I've seen em all.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Italian comedy
Review: I Soliti Ignoti- I absolutely love this movie. It is one great italian comedy with a brilliant cast at its best in portraying the simplistic and realistic roles of petty criminals. Because of the nature of the characters and their ridiculous behaviour in the proceedings of their scheme to rob a pawnshop, the viewers won't be able to refrain from laughter and enjoy this gang's hopeless adventure. For anyone who loves this movie as much as I do, I recommend to see its sequel made a year later by Nanni Loy: "Audace Colpo dei Soliti Ignoti", with only the absence of Mastroianni but the addition of Nino Manfredi- Sure it's not as great as the first, but having liked these characters so much it is natural that one would want to see them back in action with yet another "scientifically" schemed project along with all their mishaps as usual...and of course, a little more of the unfolding romance of the couple portrayed by Claudia Cardinale and Renato Salvatori. Unfortunately this movie will be hard to find, and it is without subtitles. (Do not confuse this with a third sequel made 20 yrs later which, by the way, I do not recommend at all.) For anyone who hasn't seen Big Deal On Madonna St, please do see it.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Italian comedy
Review: I Soliti Ignoti- I absolutely love this movie. It is one great italian comedy with a brilliant cast at its best in portraying the simplistic and realistic roles of petty criminals. Because of the nature of the characters and their ridiculous behaviour in the proceedings of their scheme to rob a pawnshop, the viewers won't be able to refrain from laughter and enjoy this gang's hopeless adventure. For anyone who loves this movie as much as I do, I recommend to see its sequel made a year later by Nanni Loy: "Audace Colpo dei Soliti Ignoti", with only the absence of Mastroianni but the addition of Nino Manfredi- Sure it's not as great as the first, but having liked these characters so much it is natural that one would want to see them back in action with yet another "scientifically" schemed project along with all their mishaps as usual...and of course, a little more of the unfolding romance of the couple portrayed by Claudia Cardinale and Renato Salvatori. Unfortunately this movie will be hard to find, and it is without subtitles. (Do not confuse this with a third sequel made 20 yrs later which, by the way, I do not recommend at all.) For anyone who hasn't seen Big Deal On Madonna St, please do see it.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Criterion release, but.......
Review: I'm glad Criterion released this film, otherwise I probably never would have heard of it. Yes, it's a great comedy, but the few more serious moments are a nice contrast, and not too corny. With the music and visual gags, I thought Woody Allen was going to appear any second (watch this for influences on "Small Time Crooks"). The reason I am giving it 4 stars is not for the movie itself, but because of the subtitles. I hate to get picky or get dark on Criterion, but sometimes the subtitles flash on the screen without nearly enough to time to read them, and that just isn't necessary in most cases. Most often there would be enough time to keep them on the screen longer before another one comes up. Maybe it's not so bad, it'll just make me watch the movie again and try to catch a few more funny lines next time...Very enjoyable film!
Rating:
Summary: Great Criterion release, but.......
Review: I'm glad Criterion released this film, otherwise I probably never would have heard of it. Yes, it's a great comedy, but the few more serious moments are a nice contrast, and not too corny. With the music and visual gags, I thought Woody Allen was going to appear any second (watch this for influences on "Small Time Crooks"). The reason I am giving it 4 stars is not for the movie itself, but because of the subtitles. I hate to get picky or get dark on Criterion, but sometimes the subtitles flash on the screen without nearly enough to time to read them, and that just isn't necessary in most cases. Most often there would be enough time to keep them on the screen longer before another one comes up. Maybe it's not so bad, it'll just make me watch the movie again and try to catch a few more funny lines next time...Very enjoyable film!
Rating:
Summary: Very big deal.
Review: Old and maybe forgotten Italian comedy. Best actors of the Italian cinematography of the time. Funny, bright, enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: Good Italian comedy.
Review: Old and maybe forgotten Italian comedy. Best actors of the Italian cinematography of the time. Funny, bright, enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: So much better than "Welcome to Collinwood"
Review: One of the best comedies ever made. A bumbling, utterly inept group of crooks resolve upon a seemingly simple heist. They fail in spectacular fashion. The scene in which Toto demonstrates the different methods for cracking a safe is unforgettably hilarious. A tour de force of casting, including Toto, Mastroianni, Gassman and Claudia Cardinale in her first major role. As a shocked Italian media reported, "Welcome to Collinwood" is nothing more than a remake of this remarkable film. As is so often the case, the original far surpasses the remake. Strange facts
#1 The actors play characters from all over Italy, yet almost none of them gets to play a character with an accent from the actor's own part of the country!
#2 Can you guess which of the principal actors was, in fact, a barista in the bar where the director used to go for his coffee?
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