La visita

A melancholy little story about two lonely people who come together but mostly fail to conjure any genuine affection or understanding. The comedy is only mildly amusing, and there is a cold, mean air hanging over a lot of it, but in the end there’s also a kind of warmth, less between the protagonists, who never really leave the realm of surfaces, but of the film itself towards its characters, acknowledging that even if they’re not trying their best, at least they’ll keep making their little way.

The first half was quite amusing. Lost interest as it went on, especially since I grew to dislike Adolfo. Does have some classic scenes. Definitely different. Sandra Milo shines in the role.

Pina is a foolishly naive 36-y.o. virgin country-girl with a bountiful rear. After an exchange of letters, a suitor arrives by train from Rome: Adolfo, a spineless, selfish and utterly insensitive book dealer. He proceeds to antagonize the village idiot, abuse the house pets, break a lamp, make an unwanted pass at Pina, then dance with her teenage niece, all the while appeasing her with charmless flattery. Humorous but warm, it's the Italian Minnie & Moskowitz. Périer and Milo are stupendous.