When you think about Benigni, humor in all it's varieties and unbelievable situations are dominant motives. And again, his (Dante) partner is amazing actress and producer Nicoletta Braschi (Maria). In the movie, Dante starting as an ordinary, but a little bit strange guy. His accidental meeting with Maria change his life at all. He is going to visits her at Sicily, but doesn't know about her husband (Johnny Stechinno) who is targeted mafia boss. The biggest problem for him is amazing similarity with him (also stared by Benigni), but as a naive man Dante thinks that the biggest problem is about one stolen banana. Misunderstanding is key feature. Benigni acting is always amazing, maybe the same as combination of actors in old speechless movies (for example Charlie Chaplin in ''City Lights'') and Luis De Funes (in ''L'Avare'' for example). My big recommendation for all who prefer comic movies, Italian landscapes and of course - Benigni.

I think I learned Italian from this movie, I watched it so many times.I've simply never loved a movie as so cute and funny as this, its well worth tracking it down, Its still pretty available if you know the right places to look.Roberto and Nicoletta are perfect together on and off screen, truly a mating of Eagles as the Romans would say.take the perfect vaudeville act, Where you have some idiot who is just a heart of Gold, mix in a scheming Mafia donna, take a bunch of Italians in good suits add a little illegal narcotics done by politicans.Steal a banana or two, and then change places with a murderous Cut throat assasino. What do you get? Superb cinema.

The genius with which Benigni weaves plots is most clearly displayed in this film. Nothing in the film is left to chance. Every scene, every action is (eventually) connected to others in a hilarious web. I've seen this movie 6 or 7 times. My wife wants to rent it again! and I will watch it for the 7th or 8th, having fun and marveling at the intricacies of the plot.An early episode is a silly parlor game called "the cabinet member's wife." What is that about? What's funny about that. It isn't, but the game returns about three-quarters of the way through with surprising twists.People who don't watch foreign films because they don't like reading subtitles are missing a world of great films, and this is one of the best.

The incredible Roberto Benigni played the role of his lifetime in this movie. A double-role in fact. I won't bother you repeating the story; suffice to say that your slapstick collection is not complete without this treasure.I must admit that for non-Italian speakers, it may be more difficult to understand the most subtle parts of the film. It is particularly great if you understand the Italian society (north v south, mafia culture, etiquettes).Should you be able to lay your hands on this one, get an italian course: it's worth it!