Italian Film Comedy

From Dante’s Divine Comedy to the more human forms of commedia all’italiana, the varieties of humor in Italian movies follow the fortunes and misfortunes of the Italian people. This chapter considers why so much Italian comedy, like Italian food, appeals to global audiences with its consistent focus on marriage, sexual politics, and the little guy trying to get by with a touch of larceny. It also explores Italy’s preoccupation with its unique regional stereotypes and the darker regions of the human comedy. Throughout their long history, and especially on the screen, Italians have always been ready to laugh at their own flaws and root for the trickster.