A quintet of historic friends, middle age looming over their heads, an inseparable desire to stay together and laugh without taking themselves seriously. Because the only thing that matters in life is laughing. Even at times when it seems impossible, even when things don’t seem to be going well. This might be a rough summary Mario Monicalli he left us with him “My friends”a film released in Italian cinemas fifty years agoin the golden year of 1975. Florence this is the setting of a bittersweet story, which increases the value of friendship and brings it to the altar of deepest feelings. Because in the ties that unite events Count Raffaello Mascetti (Ugo Tognazzi), architect Rambaldo Melandri (Gastone Moschin), journalist Giorgio Perozzi (Philippe Noiret), bartender Guido Necchi (first Del Prete and then Montagnani), and professor Alfeo Sassaroli (Adolfo Celi) the secret of hidden happiness. Because friendship maintains a sincere love that does not expect anything in return. We’re together, yes, but when we want to be.
A language that has entered everyone’s life
On the banks of the Arno, the Tuscan maestro Monicelli arrives in place of the late Pietro Germi, to direct a masterpiece destined to enter the Olympus of Italian cinematography and the heart of Italian culture. This film changed the paradigm and introduced neologisms that we still use in common parlance. “gypsy“, a journey without a destination, without obligations and without the dictates of time.”what a shame“, a useful twist of words to confuse the person you are talking to. Not to mention the best definition of “genius” which as everyone knows are: imagination, intuition, and speed of execution.
Then there is the iconic scene. Unforgettable is the slap of “goodbye” across the faces of those leaning out the window of a departing regional train. A distraction, a balm to soothe the pain of love, a prank that only deeply involved friends can pull off. Not to mention the telephone courtship with Sassaroli’s wife or the petty theatrics that cost poor “Righi”, convinced that he has joined a group of criminals intent on fighting their rivals from Marseille. And let’s go no further, out of respect for those who haven’t had the chance to see this unmissable title.
United we win
However, in the end, what message does “Amici Miei” want to convey to us? That together we are stronger. As the Arno flood devours Florence, recalling the tragedy of November 4, 1966 in the second chapter of the trilogy, the five friends observe from Piazzale Michelangelo a city warped by cruel waters that have swallowed everything, including hope. “And what do we do now?“They asked themselves to be disarmed.”Water skiingPerozzi exclaimed. And we can smile again to face tomorrow with confidence.
No one is left behind, friends who are in trouble always help themselves, we remind us collection for Mascettidone secretly because the count was of the arrogant type. He, when he was really rich and before squandering his billion dollar fortune, walked around with a Marsican bear on a leash. Lastly, as the final intense scene reminds us, even though the pain of loss is painful, we must find the strength to react, and laugh again even with tear-stained faces. After all, life is like that and death is a part of our existence.
What’s left of Amici Miei
Fifty years later, does Italy as narrated by “Amici Miei” still exist? Everything has changed, personal relationships have changed.
Technology has brought people closer together, but also pushed them further apart, reducing opportunities to meet in person. The analog world is more physical and real. But don’t despair, sincere friends still exist. And laughing is still as good as it was half a century ago.
