 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Format: VHS
Oct 1993
Not Rated
Recording Mode: (unknown)
100 min. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Details
Movie Description
The Marx Brothers meet THE GODFATHER when the bumbling Dante (Roberto Benigni) discovers that there's nothing organized about organized crime in this hilarious tale of mistaken identity. A naive schoolbus driver, Dante finally meets the passionate woman of his dreams; unfortunately, she only wants him for his body--his dead body. Dante doesn't realize he looks just like mobster Johnny Stecchino and that femme fatale Maria (Nicoletta Braschi) is setting him up to be the victim of a hit so that she and husband Johnny can escape the crime world. The dim-witted innocent doesn't catch on fast; every time a round of gunfire goes off, Dante thinks he's being hunted for shoplifting a banana. JOHNNY STECCHINO reveals why Benigni has become Italy's most popular film comedian. Like Buster Keaton in 1934's LE ROI DE CHAMPS-ELYSEE or Charlie Chaplin in 1921's THE IDLE CLASS, Benigni hams it up playing two roles, seamlessly slipping back and forth between hapless Dante and the murderous Johnny Stecchino.
Synopsis
Roberto Benigni's JOHNNY STECCHINO is a charming comedy of errors about two look-alikes, a treacherous female, and stolen fruit.
Film Notes
After its initial release, JOHNNY STECCHINO broke the Italian box-office record held by IL PICCOLO DIAVOLO (The Little Devil), another Robert Benigni film that he and Nicoletta Braschi appeared in. JOHNNY STECCHINO was then bested by Benigni's IL MOSTRO a few years later.
The mirror gag in which Stecchino pretends to be Dante's reflection is borrowed from the Marx Brothers' DUCK SOUP.
Industry Reviews
"...Fun, energetic and easy to take..."
New York Times - p.C8 - Vincent Canby (10/09/1992)
"...Benigni is unique....As a director, his style is big, clean, lucid. All the characters are snazzily exaggerated..."
Los Angeles Times - p.F1 - Michael Wilmington (10/30/1992)
Quotations
"Santa Cleopatra!"--a common expression of Maria (Nicoletta Braschi)
"It's always yum-yum time for you people."--Dante (Roberto Benigni) to police
"I no longer repent for this banana!"--Dante to police
"I knew I should've paid for this banana."--Dante to himself
"In Palermo, stay away from bananas."--Dante to his friend
|
|
|
Other Editions
|
|
|
Similar Items on eBay
|
|
All rights reserved.
