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Avanti!

Play trailer Poster for Avanti! R 1972 2h 24m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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Avanti!

Critics Reviews

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Romola Costantino Sydney Morning Herald 06/09/2022
This just has to be one of the best comedy films of this year. Go to Full Review Martha DuBose Sydney Morning Herald 06/09/2022
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. Go to Full Review Tony Rayns Sight & Sound 03/20/2020
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. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Apr 26
[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 ... Go to Full Review Elissa Suh Moviepudding (Substack) 08/21/2023
Confidently languorous in pacing, it is not unlike the stride of an Italian afternoon, which hinges on a punctuated and generous lunch hour. Go to Full Review Adrian Turner Radio Times 03/20/2020
4/5
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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alan g @agenser Jun 24 Slick comedy about adultery. See more Alain E @AlainE May 25 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. See more John L @view2views Apr 6 This film is far too long.....I love it for that!...... See more Alan g 09/02/2024 Great early Jack Lemmon comedy. Fun romp. Great cast. See more Lanfranco C @Lanfrancobz 12/20/2023 A sparkling movie that exaggerates the character of the Italian People, but it is anyway funny and intelligent. See more 03/04/2022 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. See more Read all reviews
Avanti!

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Cast & Crew

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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

Bruno

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Avanti!

Avanti! (1972) Avanti! (1972) Avanti! (1972) View more photos

Movie Info

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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