If I say Roberto Benigni directed and starred in this 1991 film, would that mean anything to you? It means something to me – I KNOW that I am going to enjoy this film! Mr Benigni is the star of one of my all time favourite films La vita e bella (Life is Beautiful) in which he starred with Nicoletta Braschi. Guess who plays his love interest in Johnny Stecchino too?! This might have something to do with Nicoletta being Roberto’s real life wife. They met on the set of ‘Tu mi turbi’ (1983) and married in 1991.

Well onto the story. Benigni plays Dante, a school bus driver who is a simple soul. He ferries handicapped kids around in his yellow vehicle, making their journeys fun by singing to them. Early on in the film we realise Dante is a flop with women, he’s their ‘friend’ rather than their lover. At a party he’s the only guy who leaves alone, while his friends leave in taxis to have fun somewhere else.

As he’s walking home after the party ends, he is almost hit by a white sports car, driven by a stunning woman, Maria (played by Nicoletta Braschi). She is a vision dressed in white. Dante is immediately mesmerized by her, but after he checks her car isn't damaged, she drives off, disappearing without a trace.

So he is overjoyed when the woman reappears the next day at his home and invites herself in. She again leaves suddenly but he manages to track her down at the hotel she’s staying in. The bellman sees him spying on her and attempts to drag him through reception to see the manager – but Maria, seeing him, speaks up and pretends she knows him, referring to him as ‘Johnny’.

She drives ‘Johnny’ away, buys him expensive new clothes and draws a mole on his face with a pen. Dante goes along with this because he’s besotted – he doesn’t care what she calls him! When Dante is clowning around at the restaurant table, he carelessly picks up a toothpick and chews it. Maria names him Johnny Stecchino – Toothpick Johnny.

Maria takes Dante to Palermo with her. There we are introduced to the real Johnny Stecchino, her husband the gangster, who just happens to be the very image of Dante. He’s living as a prisoner in his own home. He’s a supergrass and a villain and a man named Cozzamara is after him so he’s gone into hiding.

Maria has a plan – to pass Dante off as her husband Johnny, so that when he’s seen in public he will be killed by one of the many men after him. Dante will die in Johnny’s place and Maria gets her real husband back and they can then flee the country.

From then on, it’s a case of mistaken identity – Dante is oblivious to the trouble he is in and stealing his daily banana from the grocer’s shop in Palermo proves far more dangerous than when he was back home ….

* Characters *

Benigni plays a double role in this film, never really appearing as Johnny and Dante together in the same scene but somehow managing to pull this off. He plays both roles well – as Dante he’s eager to please, jolly, friendly and he plays the joker.

As Johnny he’s more forceful, mean and nasty. He barks at everyone, Maria included, only really softening up when she turns on the charm. She can get round him easily. However, Johnny is still quite a funny character in that he keeps insisting Dante looks nothing like him!

For people that don’t know Benigni, he’s a small and thin man. He has hair that sticks up and is probably not how you imagine a ‘leading’ man to be. He talks nineteen to the dozen as Dante but his enthusiasm is infectious and the viewer is immediately drawn to the bus driver as a romantic fool, willing to do anything for the woman he loves. He lights up the screen as Dante, wanting to be everybody’s friend, little realising that all the citizens of Palermo think he’s a wanted man! His childlike enthusiasm is endearing to watch.

Maria is likeable, always immaculately dressed and well presented. She seems too perfect but has one flaw which is to wipe her (dirty) hands on her pristine clothes! Again, a nice touch to make her character slightly tarnished.

* Scenery *

Lots to look out for – pretty settings such as outdoor cafes with checked tablecloths, cobbled streets, palm trees, markets with fresh fruit and vegetables and the opera. Bella Italia!

* My favourite scene *

Well the opera proves to be the venue for one of the funniest scenes. Watch how Dante and a banana cause chaos and how he manages to clear the auditorium very quickly without knowing why!

* Comic moments *

Abound. Dante’s party trick is to steal a banana daily from various shops by hooking it up his jacket sleeve while distracting the shopkeeper. This is actually an essential part of the film and bananas should probably get a credit at the end as they feature pretty heavily throughout the film! There are lots of laugh out loud moments in this film – including, surprisingly, some drug taking scenes (no I don’t approve just for the record but Dante is so naïve he doesn’t even know what the white powder is!). This is probably why there was an 18 certificate awarded to the film because there aren't any rude bits or nudity, although I think Dante would have liked there to have been! ;-)

* Other info *

Rated 18
116 mins approx
Director – Roberto Benigni

The dvd is currently selling at £6.99 on www.play.com

* Did I like it? *

Yes, yes, yes! This is a wonderful film. I’d say anyone who likes foreign films will enjoy this – as long as you don’t mind the subtitles. This is funny, silly, lightweight but has a clever underlying plot to hold your attention.

I do recommend it, 5 stars for sure. Thanks to my little matey Tiger_Eyes for lending this to me and cheering me up!

Finally, if that hasn’t persuaded you – I’d say watch it, if only to find out what ‘faking an eggnog’ is!! Terrific fun.

Thanks for reading. Ciao!