Jack Lemmon appeared in the fifth of six films he made with director Billy Wilder, who also co-wrote the screenplay with I. A. L. Diamond. “Avanti!” tells the story of an American businessman who flies to Rome to claim the body of his recently deceased father. He meets an English woman who turns out to be the daughter of his dad’s mistress, which is news to him. The comedy and drama proceed from there.
Wilder and Diamond have created a tasteful and civilized movie, but it runs a little long at two hours and twenty minutes. They could have shortened it by at least a half hour. Also, the cinematography by Luigi Kuveiller could have been improved upon. They did not take full advantage of the stunning Italian scenery of the Amalfi Coast and of Rome itself. It seems as though too much of the picture was set inside of hotels and restaurants.
The talented supporting cast behind Jack Lemmon includes Juliet Mills, Clive Revill, Edward Andrews, Gianfranco Barra, Pippo Franco, Giacomo Rizo, Sergio Bruni, and Ty Hardin in an uncredited role as the helicopter pilot. “Avanti” was successful at the box office for producers Billy Wilder and Jack Lemmon and United Artists.
Avanti! (1972)
cinema
My Review
Jack Lemmon appeared in the fifth of six films he made with director Billy Wilder, who also co-wrote the screenplay with I. A. L. Diamond. “Avanti!” tells the story of an American businessman who flies to Rome to claim the body of his recently deceased father. He meets an English woman who turns out to be the daughter of his dad’s mistress, which is news to him. The comedy and drama proceed from there.
Wilder and Diamond have created a tasteful and civilized movie, but it runs a little long at two hours and twenty minutes. They could have shortened it by at least a half hour. Also, the cinematography by Luigi Kuveiller could have been improved upon. They did not take full advantage of the stunning Italian scenery of the Amalfi Coast and of Rome itself. It seems as though too much of the picture was set inside of hotels and restaurants.
The talented supporting cast behind Jack Lemmon includes Juliet Mills, Clive Revill, Edward Andrews, Gianfranco Barra, Pippo Franco, Giacomo Rizo, Sergio Bruni, and Ty Hardin in an uncredited role as the helicopter pilot. “Avanti” was successful at the box office for producers Billy Wilder and Jack Lemmon and United Artists.