SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped

Protraph Lack of good storyline.

Btexxamar I like Black Panther, but I didn't like this movie.

Paynbob It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

jotix100 Gilberto, a physical education teacher in Pistoia, is preparing for a surprise birthday party for his wife. He goes through the market getting flowers, gifts, and things for the occasion. He is not prepared for when she gets home. Hiding from plain sight awaiting for the birthday girl, Gilberto and his guests are flabbergasted when they listen to the wife's answering the phone to the lover with whom she just spent a romantic tryst, unaware her conversation is being heard by Gilberto and the rest. A divorce follows.At his school, Gilberto is besieged by the precocious Paolina, a young woman who professes to love him. Gilberto tries all methods to tell his student she is out of line, but he cannot get rid of her. Gilberto who lives with his stuttering brother Cateno, falls in love with Margherita, an attractive woman veterinarian. Unknown to him, the new love interest turns out to be Paolina's mother!This Italian comedy shown recently on a cable channel starts with a good premise, which alas, does not pan out for the rest of the film. Directed by Leonardo Pieraccioni, the film wanders in all directions going from one situation to the other without making much sense. The problem is the screenplay which is not serious enough to make a good comedy. The director appears as Gilberto as well as collaborating with Giovanni Veronesi in the script. The comedy is good for a couple of laughs, but nothing more.

karmabuona The first scene of this latest venture from Leonardo Pieraccioni (who directs and stars) bodes well but it goes downhill from there.Giliberto is a 40-year-old gym teacher in a Tuscan high school. One of his students, 17-year-old Paolina, has a crush on him and hounds him relentlessly, threatening to accuse him of sexual harassment if he doesn't go out with her. Meanwhile. Giliberto has met the woman of his dreams, the stunning vet, Margherita. Complications ensue.This film is harmless but really quite silly. Why Margherita is in love with Giliberto is not entirely clear (although we are treated to endless close-ups of Margherita playing with animals). Another bewildering point is why Giliberto puts himself in such repeatedly compromising positions with Paolina. Furthermore, the female characterization is weak and one-dimensional, with characters that seem little more than eye-candy.That said, the fairly sympathetic character of Giliberto himself is nicely developed. The strongest point of the film is probably the touching portrayal of Giliberto's relationship with his stuttering brother Cateno, extremely well played by Giorgio Panariello.Overall, a harmless way to pass an hour and a half, but you come out feeling like there might have been better ways to spend the time.