Criminal in spite of himself
Aziza is robbed of her jewelry. A person claiming to be the jewelry thief calls Aziza and asks her to leave her apartment door open so he can return the stolen items. She reports the call to the police, but Aziza is surprised by the entry of her neighbor Esmat, who is arrested by the police hiding inside her apartment. It turns out that he is not the thief who robbed her, but Esmat suffers from sleepwalking.
Insights
Plot Summary
Leonardo, a mild-mannered accountant, is mistakenly identified as a dangerous mobster due to his uncanny resemblance to the notorious 'Scarface'. He is suddenly thrust into a world of organized crime, finding himself on the run from both the police and the real criminals. Leonardo must navigate this perilous situation while trying to clear his name and return to his ordinary life.
Critical Reception
The film was a moderate success in Italy, primarily appealing to fans of Carlo Verdone's comedic style. While not critically acclaimed, it offered lighthearted entertainment with its mistaken identity premise and typical Italian comedy tropes. Audience reception was generally positive for its humor and star performance.
What Reviewers Say
- Carlo Verdone's signature comedic performance anchors the film.
- The mistaken identity plot provides ample opportunity for humorous situations.
- Relies heavily on familiar Italian comedy conventions.
Google audience: Audience reviews tend to highlight the comedic effectiveness of Carlo Verdone and the entertaining, albeit predictable, plot. Many found it to be a fun and lighthearted watch.
Fun Fact
The film's original title in Italian is 'Viaggi di nozze', which translates to 'Honeymoons', but this 1991 film is often mistakenly associated with that title. The correct title for this particular film is 'L'amico americano', which translates to 'The American Friend', but it is widely known in some international markets as 'Criminal in Spite of Himself'.
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