MartinHafer The above summary was not meant as an insult in any way. It's because this was the most successful film in Italian movie history is why I mentioned that it's best appreciated by Italians. That is because while the film is fun and I did enjoy it, I just can't see this film being adored elsewhere--it just seems like a slightly better than average film--and not deserving to break box office records when compared to some other "greater" Italian films (such as THE CHILDREN ARE WATCHING US, UMBERTO D. among others). I guess this film really struck a chord with Italian audiences that just didn't happen elsewhere. Perhaps it was because the film makes fun of the mafia or perhaps they just adore Begnini. Robert Begnini plays dual roles--one a nice bumbler names "Dante" and a dirty crook known as "Johnny Stecchino". When Stecchino's wife meets Dante by chance, she realizes he's the spitting image of her husband and tricks Dante into coming to Palermo. That's because in the capital of Sicily, Johnny is totally reviled by most everyone--either because he was a brutal mobster or because, to save his own skin, he betrayed the mob. As a result, the real Johnny has been in hiding 18 months--fearing for his pathetic life. The plan is to have Dante pose as Johnny--thereby being murdered in Johnny's place! Poor Dante doesn't know about this, but the film becomes awfully funny when through a series of mistakes, Dante thinks people are trying to kill him because he stole a banana! While a bit stupid, this joke is also pretty funny and I loved it when he was convinced that the grocer and his family had sworn a vendetta against him over a stupid banana! Because of this silly mix-up, the lovable loser in "Dante", the physical comedy of Begnini and the style of music employed throughout the film, the overall product was extremely reminiscent of an old Woody Allen film (back when he used to be funny in the late 60s and early 70s). Funny, entertaining and worth seeing, though I just can't see why this film was so strongly embraced by the Italians. Of course, I am sure the Italians feel the same way when it comes to many of the American films that the American public adores as well! To each his own.By the way, I read that this film was rated R. I really can't see why, as PG-13 seems pretty reasonable (due to language, a few MINOR sexual scenes and a tiny image of a nude woman on a calendar). Most parents would probably not be overly concerned about letting a child 12 or up to see this film.

Lee Eisenberg Before Roberto Benigni became a household name in the States, he directed and starred in this totally wacky movie about an ordinary man mistaken for a mobster while looking for a woman (Nicoletta Braschi) in Sicily. I guess that mostly, "Johnny Stecchino" is a big excuse to be silly, but it's definitely what Benigni does best. The movie is like a combination of a Charlie Chaplin flick and a Looney Tunes cartoon cranked up to maximum energy. It's a fun romp in every way, shape and form. And it will probably make you want to go to Sicily. All in all, a really good time.And don't forget: stay away from the bananas!

Philip Van der Veken Even though Roberto Benigni is very popular on this website, I doubt that many people know more than one movie of the man. Sure, everybody has heard of "La vita è bella" before, but if you ask them to name another one of his Italian movies, I'm pretty sure they can't. And yet the man is a good actor. Especially when it comes to comedies he's far above average. Not that you have to believe me of course, but when you've seen this "Johnny Stecchino", or "Johnny Toothpick" as it is called in English, you'll probably say that I'm right.Dante is a simple and kind-hearted man who is happy driving the school bus for a group of mentally handicapped children. But his life isn't exactly very spectacular as he lives on his own, doesn't have a girlfriend or wife and only seems to have one friend, one of the handicapped children with whom he likes to steal an occasional banana. When he's almost run over by Maria, a beautiful and rich lady, all this seems to change. She seems to fall in love with him head over heals and she soon invites him to her gigantic villa in Palermo, Sicily. But what he doesn't know that he's part of an evil plot. He looks exactly the same as Maria's gangster husband, Johnny Stecchino, who's life is in big danger as the rest of the crime syndicates want him dead and buried. They have invited Dante in the hope that he will be killed instead of Johnny Stecchino...To fully appreciate this movie I guess you have to be ready for this kind of humor. It all feels a lot like slapstick and I doubt if everybody likes that all that much. Personally I liked it in this movie. It gave it all a bit of an interesting, but surreal touch. But even though the story and its humor feel a bit like slapstick, it still gives a decent feeling of what Italy is like. They like good food and wine, they like a party so now and then, but corruption and crime aren't all that far away. This script could easily have been used to make a very good drama with it, but I admit that the humor in it makes it a bit more special and noticeable. What also helps to remember this movie are Roberto Benigni's and Nicoletta Braschi's performances. Especially Benigni did a nice job in this double role. He gave both characters a completely different feeling and only a slightly different look, which made it even more interesting, because you certainly had to stay focused.All in all this is a very good comedy that proves that Benigni isn't just a one-hit wonder. The story, the acting, the humor,... make this a movie that is certainly worth a try. Personally I really liked it and that's why I give it at least a 7.5/10.

Stevetalley 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.