A Monster and a Half
A Monster and a Half

Movie spotlight

A Monster and a Half

1964
Movie
96 min
Italian

A thief steals a suitcase but it contains a corpse and the thief is sentenced, but is released by the robbed doctor, who then subjects him to a facial plastic that makes him equal to a criminal.

Insights

IMDb6.3/10
Director: StenoGenres: Comedy, Fantasy

Plot Summary

This anthology film presents three separate comedic stories, each with a touch of the fantastic. The first segment follows a man who discovers he has the ability to turn invisible. The second depicts a group of friends who encounter a bizarre, monstrous creature. The final tale involves a peculiar priest with an unusual divine connection. All three narratives explore human foibles and desires through whimsical and often absurd situations.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, 'A Monster and a Half' received mixed reviews, with some critics praising its inventive comedic scenarios and the performances of its lead actors, particularly Ugo Tognazzi and Manfredi. Others found the anthology structure uneven, with varying degrees of success across its disparate segments. The film is remembered more as a curio of Italian comedic cinema from the 1960s rather than a groundbreaking masterpiece.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film offers moments of genuine humor and surreal fantasy.

  • Performances from the Italian comedic stars are a highlight.

  • The anthology format leads to an inconsistent viewing experience.

Google audience: Audience reception for 'A Monster and a Half' is not widely documented on Google platforms, making specific user sentiment difficult to ascertain.

Fun Fact

The film is also known by its Italian title, 'Mostro e mezzo', and represents a typical example of the popular Italian anthology comedy films of the era, which often combined various comedic styles and themes.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review