Quartile rating: 8/10 · 1 rating
Four inseparable friends try to face their midlife crisis with daytrips and pranks at the expense of their families and the people around them.
Mario Monicelli's bittersweet ensemble comedy is a landmark of Italian cinema, blending ribald slapstick with genuine pathos. The four leads — Tognazzi, Noiret, Moschin, and Celi — deliver performances of extraordinary chemistry and nuance, oscillating between farce and melancholy with rare naturalism. Its novelty lies in the film's utterly singular tone: anarchic male camaraderie shot through with existential sadness, a combination that feels completely unique to Monicelli's vision of Italian goliardia. The pranks and episodic structure give the plot a loose, picaresque quality that suits its themes but limits dramatic momentum. The ending, marked by unexpected tragedy, is emotionally resonant but somewhat abrupt. Cinematography is competent and evocative of Tuscany without being especially distinguished.