Avanti!

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Avanti!

R

Released Dec 17, 1972

2h 24m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

79%

Tomatometer

24 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Based on the play by Samuel Taylor, this comedy finds Wendell Armbruster Jr. (Jack Lemmon) journeying to the Italian island of Ischia to claim the body of his millionaire father, who died while on vacation there. As the dutiful son uncovers more about his dad's death, revelations are made, leading to Wendell's involvement with British beauty Pamela Piggott (Juliet Mills). Their budding romance, however, is hindered by a number of odd events that sorely test it.

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Romola Costantino

Sydney Morning Herald

This just has to be one of the best comedy films of this year.

Jun 9, 2022

Full Review

Martha DuBose

Sydney Morning Herald

It is basically a failed film because it is Wilder diluted to cater to an age which, ironically, is best equipped to appreciate the Wilder of old.

Jun 9, 2022

Full Review

Tony Rayns

Sight & Sound

The audience is literally distanced from the action while at the same time encouraged to identify with it, which gives the whole exposition an almost diagrammatic quality.

Mar 20, 2020

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

[Director Billy] Wilder takes his time with the pacing and the result is a classic romantic comedy of the modern American world colliding with the provincial Italian way of life ...

Apr 26, 2025

Full Review

Elissa Suh

Moviepudding (Substack)

Confidently languorous in pacing, it is not unlike the stride of an Italian afternoon, which hinges on a punctuated and generous lunch hour.

Aug 21, 2023

Full Review

Adrian Turner

Radio Times

This is a sublime romantic comedy that spins on one of Wilder's favourite themes: the confrontation between the brashness of America, where he worked, and the sophistication of Europe, where he was born.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 20, 2020

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alan g

Slick comedy about adultery.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/24/25

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Alain E

Entertaining romantic comedy where the adult children of an adulterous couple decide to continue the tradition for one more generation. The action happens in Italy so there is some use of cultural stereotypes as well.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/25/25

Full Review

John L

This film is far too long.....I love it for that!......

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/06/25

Full Review

Alan g

Great early Jack Lemmon comedy. Fun romp. Great cast.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/02/24

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Lanfranco C

A sparkling movie that exaggerates the character of the Italian People, but it is anyway funny and intelligent.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I'm a huge Jack Lemmon fan I've enjoyed every movie he's appeared in. I swear they could do a movie of Jack Lemmon reading the phone book and it would still be a wonderful film.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

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Billy Wilder

Director

Jack Lemmon

Wendell Armbruster, Jr.

Juliet Mills

Pamela Piggott

Clive Revill

Carlo Carlucci

Edward Andrews

J.J. Blodgett

Gianfranco Barra

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Synopsis

Based on the play by Samuel Taylor, this comedy finds Wendell Armbruster Jr. (Jack Lemmon) journeying to the Italian island of Ischia to claim the body of his millionaire father, who died while on vacation there. As the dutiful son uncovers more about his dad's death, revelations are made, leading to Wendell's involvement with British beauty Pamela Piggott (Juliet Mills). Their budding romance, however, is hindered by a number of odd events that sorely test it.

Director: Billy Wilder
Producer: Billy Wilder
Screenwriter: Billy Wilder, I.A.L. Diamond
Production Co: Produzioni Europee Associate, Jalem Productions, The Mirisch Corporation [us], Phalanx Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 17, 1972, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 2h 24m

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