Avanti!

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Avanti!

R

Released Dec 17, 1972

2h 24m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

78%

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23 Reviews

76%

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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

Elissa Suh

Moviepudding

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

Full Review

Fotogramas Staff

Fotogramas

A harmonious and brilliant film. [Full Review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/5

Mar 20, 2020

Full Review

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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

steve d

I love Jack Lemmon but this script didn't work for me.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

there are two things that I haven't seen mentioned in anyone else's reviews that seem like the elephant in the room that isn't getting discussed. The biggest thing is that it is a movie that is romanticizing an affair. He is happily married yet falls for this woman and we are supposed to be on the side of that relationship without question. The other thing is they keep calling Juliet Mills fat. What alternate universe is Juliet Mills fat in?

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

kyle b

New favorite romantic comedy

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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

Bruno

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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, The Mirisch Corporation [us], Jalem Productions, 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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