Macaroni (1985)
"Maccheroni" (original title)

A businessman from the United States returns to Italy for the first time in four decades only to discover that an old girlfriend of his, along with her brother, have involved him in a massive hoax.

Director:

Ettore Scola

Writers:

Ruggero Maccari (screenplay), Furio Scarpelli (screenplay),

Stars:

Jack Lemmon, Marcello Mastroianni, Daria Nicolodi

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Lemmon	...	Robert Traven
Marcello Mastroianni	...	Antonio Jasiello
Daria Nicolodi	...	Laura Di Falco
Isa Danieli	...	Carmelina Jasiello
Maria Luisa Santella	...	Door Keeper
Patrizia Sacchi	...	Virginia
Bruno Esposito	...	Giulio Jasiello
Orsetta Gregoretti	...	Young actress in theater
Marc Berman	...	French record producer
Jean-François Perrier	...	French record producer
Giovanna Sanfilippo	...	Maria
Fabio Tenore	...	Pasqualino (the little monk)
Marta Bifano	...	Luisella
Aldo De Martino	...	Cottone (theater manager)
Tilde De Spirito	...	The villain's mistress (as Clotilde De Spirito)

Storyline

Robert Traven, a dyspeptic, edgy American businessman, arrives in Naples and is received by a friendly but officious local company representative. Exhausted by the pressures and inconveniences of a long flight, he is looking forward to rest and relaxation in his hotel room when he is visited by buoyant and upbeat Antonio Jassiello, a clerk in a bank record room, who is surprised when his old friend from the War does not recognize him. The annoyed and exhausted Traven feels he's being scammed, and the two part of bad terms. Jassiell does leave a photo of Traven and his sister taken 40 years earlier, and the time and the setting seen to stir Traven's memory, so he seeks out Antonio to apologize. Jassiello brings him back home to renew acquaintances with his family including his sister, now married and middle-aged. Not the least bit jealous, the husband is friendly and outgoing. Traven soon discovers why he has not faded from their memories as they from his. Antonio has been long forging...

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Plot Keywords:

old girlfriend | italy | milan italy | italian american | gelato | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian English

Release Date:

24 October 1985 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Macaroni

Filming Locations:

Naples, Campania, Italy

Box Office

Gross:

SEK 3,159,783 (Sweden)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmauro, Massfilm

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Marcello Mastroianni grew a mustache for the film, but was so nervous on the first day of shooting that he absent-mindedly shaved it off.

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Quotes

Antonio: Ah, it's beautiful to waste time.

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Connections

Referenced in Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession (2004)

User Reviews

hysterical however predictable

Macaroni follows the renewal of friendship bewtween two men who have not seen each other since WWII. The only not-so-good part of the movie is that it is very predictable. It is never too hard to guess what will happen next. Some may enjoy these types of film however I would rather be challenged!

The wonderful part of this film is the pairing of Lemmon and Mastroianni. They are wonderful together. I have not laughed this hard watching a movie in a long time. Trust me, you will be rolling on the floor. But it is not all fun and games, there is a serious message. Watch it and find out!