Variety Lights
Seen it?1950 | 93 min | Drama, Comedy
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had almost no lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- If you count yourself among people who need a good giggle and anyone who loves a strong drama, this one's for you. Best on a quiet night when you're in the mood to feel something. Sits nicely alongside We All Loved Each Other So Much. Critics like it more than audiences, which usually means it takes its time or takes risks.
- The mood
- Funny with heart.
- The pace
- Character-first and patient, at 1 hr 33 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in Italian, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Made in 1950: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
- Not the one if you want explosions or easy laughs.
In Italy, Checco Dal Monte manages a troupe of traveling performers with plenty of heart but minimal talent. At a small town engagement, he encounters the starry-eyed, gorgeous Lily Antonelli, and hires her as a dancer on the show. Vivacious Lily quickly sells out crowds and earns the resentment of Checco's mistress, Melina Amour, but the fledgling performer has far bigger ambitions and soon sets her sights on a higher-profile role.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 81 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
Our audience score: 59%
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 8K people sought it out in the past year
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Cast & crew
Directed by Alberto Lattuada, Federico Fellini
- Peppino De FilippoChecco Dal Monte
- Carla Del PoggioLiliana "Lilly" Antonelli
- Giulietta MasinaMelina Amour
- John KitzmillerTrumpet Player Johnny
- Dante MaggioRemo
- Checco DuranteTheater Owner
- Gina MascettiValeria del Sole
- Giulio CalìMagician Edison Will
- Silvio BagoliniBruno Antonini
- Giacomo FuriaDuke