Avanti! (1972)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Billy Wilder

Writers:

I.A.L. Diamond (writer)
Samuel A. Taylor (play)

Release Date:

17 December 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Plot:

A successful businessman goes to Italy to arrange for the return of his tycoon-father's body only to discover dad died with his mistress of long standing.

Plot Keywords:

Italy | Mistress | Hotel | Topless Beach | Funeral

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 6 nominations

Cast

Jack Lemmon	...	Wendell Armbruster, Jr.
Juliet Mills	...	Pamela Piggott
Clive Revill	...	Carlo Carlucci
Edward Andrews	...	J.J. Blodgett
Gianfranco Barra	...	Bruno
Franco Angrisano	...	Arnold Trotta
Pippo Franco	...	Mattarazzo
Franco Acampora	...	Armando Trotta
Giselda Castrini	...	Anna
Raffaele Mottola	...	Passport officer
Lino Coletta	...	Cipriani
Harry Ray	...	Dr. Fleischmann
Guidarino Guidi	...	Maitre D'
Giacomo Rizzo	...	Barman
Antonino Faa Di Bruno	...	Concierge (as Antonino Faa' Di Bruno)

Also Known As:

Che cosa è successo tra mio padre e tua madre? (Italy)
¿Qué ocurrió entre mi padre y tu madre? (Spain) [es]
Avanti (Greece) [el]
Avanti - kom ind! (Denmark) [da]
Avanti! (Finland) [fi]
Avanti! (France) [fr]
Avanti, Avanti! (West Germany) [de]
Avanti... Amantes à Italiana (Brazil) [pt]
Dokunma, gidiklanirim (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]

Runtime:

140 min

Country:

USA | Italy

Language:

English | Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:NC-16 | UK:12 | Australia:M | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Amalfi Coast, Amalfi, Salerno, Campania, Italy

Company:

Jalem Productions

Trivia:

Juliet Mills gained 25 pounds within 6 weeks to take on the role of Pamela Piggott.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Mr. Ambruster and Mr. Carlucci arrive at the morgue, Ms. Piggott is sitting down with a orange bunch of "tromboncini". After, when Mr. Carlucci talks with them, the bunch is yellow.

Quotes:

J.J. Blodgett: [as the helicopter is approaching the Ischia heliport] Are you guys sure this is Ischia?
Helicopter pilot: Reasonably sure, sir.
J.J. Blodgett: Because I don't wanna land in Africa!
Helicopter pilot: That would be bigger, sir.

Movie Connections:

References Boulevard du rhum (1971)

Soundtrack:

Senza Fine

An amusing love story, beautifully done.

Jack Lemmon is wonderful as the self-centered American businessman who gradually becomes more sensitive to the plight of fellow traveler Juliet Mills, who gives a very sensitive performance. Clive Revill's wry performance as the hotelier Carlucci is a delight. The location scenery is lush and gorgeous. The more conservative viewers may have a problem with the nudity in this movie, but it's still a good find. And I agree with Leonard Maltin that it's sadly underrated. It's well worth a look.