Johnny Stecchino [DVD]

Johnny Stecchino isn't the masterpiece that La vita e bella is, but it is nevertheless a thoroughly amusing story of how our well-meaning but socially inept hero is mistaken for a murderous mafia pentito. The plot is ingenious, generating plenty of good fun and belly-laughs, mocking the mafia and those whose support it depends on - judges, politicians, churchmen, etc. The satire lacks the dark side that made La vita e bella so memorable but Johnny Stecchino remains a film that Roberto Benigni can be proud of.

We bought this as a supplement when my daughter was doing Italian A level, inaddition to La Vita è Bella (Life is Beautiful) which is the one she was studying. I'd already seen it years ago, but was pleased to see it again. A great film! Benigni is a superb actor and producer. The storyline is fantastic. But you do need to have some knowledge of the mafia and an appreciation of Italian humour to get the best out of it.

One of the best films I've seen in years. If you love Italy... it sums up the way of life wonderfully...great references to other film genres...so funny you have just time to recover when along comes another great comic moment.