Underneath the surface of almost nonstop comedic situations and against the background of Neapolitan chaos and poverty, this story asks how is it possible for ordinary people to be honest in a city riddled with corruption.A small time bureauocrat/hustler ,Salvatore, played flawlessly by Giancarlo Giannini tries to help the wife of Picone locate her missing husband, ostensibly a model family man, but who is really leading a double life.
Weeks go by with no sign of Picone except certain revelations indicating that he is in debt to certain people. A subtle intimacy develops between Salvatore and the wife, Luciella (Lina Sastri). Salvatore -despite the hostile forces of unemployment, poverty, and crime in Naples leading to his mistrust of relationships- finds himself lowering his guard. The ensuing relationship is never overt but rather suggestive: a quiet moment at the kitchen table, a sudden glance, a thoughtful pose.
The flavor, the ambiance of crowded, run -down Naples is what riveted me to the screen (in addition, of course, to the incomparable Italian flair for comedy). All of this makes one character question how is possible to live honestly in such a place. Bribes are rampart and with taxes and exorbitant prices, almost everyone seems to be on the take.
But what role does the church play in all this? The script is silent. Where are the forces for good? How terrific it would have been if the writers, Nanni Loy and Elvio Porta, established a counterweight to the corruption. Where's the protest? Where's the outrage?
Apart from the lack of balance, this movie is worth seeing.
