Macaroni (1985)

Overrated

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

Macaroni casts Jack Lemmon as an American businessman on a trip to Naples, his first since World War II when he traveled on a group rate and probably landed at Salerno. The Neapolitan women were most grateful to the Americans for liberation, most grateful indeed.Over 40 years go by and Lemmon now a successful businessman is on business in Naples and he's greeted in his hotel room by an old friend he doesn't recognize. Marcello Mastroianni is at first dismissed when Lemmon doesn't recognize him, but the picture he leaves of Lemmon and his sister does the trick.With some trepidation Lemmon seeks out Mastroianni's family and finds the sister now a matronly grandmother. Naturally he was expecting some unknown offspring, but her's can all be attributed to the husband she later married. Mastroianni is a dreamer and a dramatist of sorts. He's involved with what we would in America call a stock company as he writes and directs and stars in little dramas of his own. In one we see him as an Italian version of Snidely Whiplash. And he's created a whole drama around Lemmon as he wrote letters in Lemmon's name recounting a life that some pulp fiction hero would have envied. You can imagine Lemmon's reaction when he learns of his other life.Pretty soon Lemmon is sucked into the family and as things aren't going well in his personal life in America, he's soon involved with the whole family. The end however is bitter sweet.Macaroni is essentially a two person film with no real flushing out of any of the other characters played by actors and actresses unknown to American audiences. Lemmon and Mastroianni are good together though nothing like Lemmon and Matthau, but who was?It's an easy to take film goes better with a glass of red wine.

Often referred to as a film which "nearly makes it" this somewhat cynical comedy is not as bad as everyone says it is in my opinion. Its two main actors, Jack Lemmon and Marcello Mastroiani, make a great pair, better (I think) than the pairing of Lemmon and Walter Matthau. It's quite a sweet little film really with a nice ending. Sometimes it is very depressingly funny, and sometimes it's just sad. The general idea behind the film is the idea of, in old age, going back to a happier past. It's not a gem, but it deserves at least some credit. But it is worth seeing if you get the chance. If you find you liked Mastroiani's performance, then I recommend that you see the Italian film "I Soliti Ignoti". Enjoy!

Macaroni follows the renewal of friendship bewtween two men who have not seen each other since WWII. The only not-so-good part of the movie is that it is very predictable. It is never too hard to guess what will happen next. Some may enjoy these types of film however I would rather be challenged!The wonderful part of this film is the pairing of Lemmon and Mastroianni. They are wonderful together. I have not laughed this hard watching a movie in a long time. Trust me, you will be rolling on the floor. But it is not all fun and games, there is a serious message. Watch it and find out!

Two incredible actors team up for this tender film about two World War II buddies who are reunited in modern day Naples only to find that Antonio (Mastroianni)has been forging letters to his sister from Robert (Lemmon) since the war ended. It was his way of helping her forget the American who left her behind. Worth viewing for the fantastic chemistry between both stars.