Macaroni [Maccheroni] **** (1985, Jack Lemmon, Marcello Mastroianni, Daria Nicolodi) – Classic Movie Review 8796

Director Ettore Scola’s 1985 Macaroni [Maccheroni] is a subtle, well-cooked comedy-drama from Italy, with yummy performances from Jack Lemmon as Robert Traven, a grouchy American businessman back in Naples for the first time in four decades, and Marcello Mastroianni as eccentric Antonio Jasiello, the brother of the young woman he had a fling with 40 years earlier during the Second World War.

Traven is visited by Jasiello, a bank record room clerk, who is surprised when his old friend does not recognise him, but eventually Jassiello brings him back home to renew acquaintance with his family, including his now late-middle-aged, married sister. It soon turns out that the duo have involved him in a massive hoax.

Macaroni [Maccheroni] is a well-crafted movie, carefully tailored to its esteemed stars’ talents, ages and capabilities at this time, and touchingly handled by director/ co-writer Scola. Armando Trovajoli’s score is another asset.

Also in the cast are Daria Nicolodi, Isa Danieli, Maria Luisa Santella, Patrizia Sacchi and Bruno Esposito.

Macaroni [Maccheroni] is directed by Ettore Scola, runs 104 minutes, is made by Filmauro and Massfilm, is distributed by Palace, is written by Ruggero Maccari, Furio Scarpelli, Ettore Scola, shot by Claudio Ragona in Eastmancolor, produced by Luigi De Laurentiis and Aurelia De Laurentiis, and scored by Armando Trovajoli.

Jack Lemmon also confronted Italy in Avanti! (1972).

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8796

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