The Italians are masters in the art of mixing to perfection laughs and tears. It is a pity to see the recipe gone, together with the great actors and directors; CINEMA DELL'ARTE has joined COMMEDIA DELL'ARTE in Ancien History. That was one more reason for my rushing to see this unknown pearl, re-masterized-but-not-too-much, probably intentionally, because this gives the movie an added patine which is quite pleasant to watch. The actors are wonderful, especially the late Alberto Sordi and Lea Massari, who kept acting in Italian and French movies until recently.I found the same pleasure as in Ettore Scola's C'ERAVAMO TANTO AMATI, 1974, to find many Italian actors and directors playing as themselves. Stars of the pre-war (Antonio Centa and Claudio Gora) are available too. IL SORPASSO was ending also at the gates of Viareggio, but Risi gave almost a real part to this Art Deco city in UNA VITA DIFFICILE. I am a fan of it since 1997, but in the movie it looked like a real paradise of the Sixties, when there was a nightlife in the Pinete (pinewoods, now abandoned to the bambini and the bikers, but still a daytime popular attraction). Some of the nightclubs kept their names, but turned into family restaurants and moved to the city's fancy promenade, unfortunately separated from the sea by the beach establishments.It was my "added entertainment", in a rare delight.If it shows around, don't miss it. harry carasso, Paris, France
