Picture the funniest comedians you know, all in one package and you get the monstrously hilarious Roberto Begnini. It just doesn't get funnier than this. This 1996 foreign movie is actually titled Il Mostro with surprisingly refreshing and extremely hilarious scenes that run continuosly throughout the entire movie. This is one case where you say “there isn’t a dull moment.” Ok, here’s the clencher, it is a foreign film with English subtitles, but it’s very, very easy to read, try it. The problem lies here; you may laugh so hard throughout the entire movie, you will miss a lot, therefore, you need to see it twice.
Italian star Roberto BegniniLife is Beautiful is indeed a combination of the best comic geniuses around but he offers a new twist to comedy. Begnini directed The Monster and also stars in the equally hilarious Johnny Stecchino also available in the U.S. Right now, and hopefully forever, the only version is English subtitles. And, please don't ever watch this dubbed, you will never get the feel of the movie; I would rather read for myself before I listen to dubbing! ugh! .
Stakeout for a Killer.The story evolves when Italian police are searching for a serial killer; meanwhile, mild, meek, goofy-looking moocher Loris (Roberto Begnini) is mistaken as their prime suspect. To apprehend him, they must first gather surveillance footage on him to substantiate and document his perverted behavior as proof that he is a murderer, a monster! Director Begnini knows where to draw the line with touchy subjects; you will only see tasteful; similar to his Life Is Beautiful where the controversary was over a horrible historic time combined with the humor of discovering love (the first half of that movie).
Cigarette in the Pants. Some creative, situations emerge when, under surveillance, Loris is distracted by the backside of a beautiful shapely woman who bends over to pick something up; he accidently loses his cigarette in his baggy pants. It burns him, in the front - right you know where! He shakes it, pummels it, thrashes and beats it to ease the burning pain. Finally, he pours water on it, and after a great sigh of relief, has to twist and wring the soaking wet spot, (the private area of his pants.)
Well… it just so happens that the police capture this from afar on camera, believing he is such a sick pervert who sees a beautiful woman and can’t control himself and resorts to “beat” the sexual urge out of himself. At the police department, viewing the silent footage, Loris appears demented and perverted satisfying the police that they have their man. This is a classic display of an old sight gag with an innovative hysterical twist.
Perfect Timing. Another example occurs when escaping from a vendor who spots him because Loris “owes” him money. He swiftly, climbs up an apartment balcony pole til it is safe to come down. Hanging precariously, he peeks up to the balcony above. And, right at that time, a woman in her balcony bends over with a very short skirt to water her plants, needless to say he got an “eyeful.” The police survellance catches this bit, and unbeknown to them that he is running and hiding from someone, they swear he is so good at his sick perversion that even “his timing” is just right.
Catch the Monster in the Act. Also in the movie, a policewoman, Jessica (Nicoletta Braschi, Begnini’s real-life wife and frequent co-star) is sent to “catch him in the act” of utterly reprehensible behavior. Loris, always a moocher and thief, is about to lose his apartment and lets her sublet with him. She makes a futile attempt at finding him to be the “perverted monster” that the police believe he is. She goes to the extent of reading the paper bent over with her rear in his face, and doing everything suggestively and naked (we don’t see this) to entice him. To watch Begnini’s bewildered face is hysterical as he embarrasingly tries to ignore the sexual display.
Non-stop action This movie is jammed with continuous sight gags, very physical humor, such as: the attack for the nymphomaniac, the chainsaw attack, cigarette in pants, grocery store theft, the naked mannequins, the crazy dinner party, learning Chinese, the dead cat, beating up a doll, surveillance tapes, the fake phone call using TV remote, the looney psychiatrist, the final chase and more. It is an amazement how well this movie was constructed, it flows smoothly, and with great comedic timing, excellent dialogue, etc.
Begnini has starred in Jim Jarmusch’s Night on Earth that also stars Wynonna Ryder and Down By Law with Tom Waits. He has been compared to Charlie Chaplin, Woody Allen, the Marx Brothers, and I think he compares with my favorite, Barney Fife. Begnini doesn’t have to “act” much, his face tells it all! That is a remarkable talent few comedians possess.
You may remember Begnini at the Academy Awards when he won for Best Director for Life is Beautiful, he climbed over the seats with such excitement. He is brilliant!
This is a movie that you pass on to others, see it, it is guaranteed laughter throughout. The dinner party scene alone is your money's worth. Try this for some good old fashioned knee slapping, gut busting, non-stop laughter. ….MzRizz
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