A rich man's midlife crisis collides with terrorism, and somehow it's hilarious?
In Caro papá, Dino Risi is telling the story of the decadent lifestyle, and dysfunctional family, of a wealthy businessman (played to perfection by Risi's favorite leading man, Vittorio Gassman). Risi paints his portrait against a backdrop of an Italy where the new permissiveness has run rampant, traditional socio-cultural values have been usurped by consumerism, and the streets have become an open battleground for politically extremist groups (the '70s were dubbed "The Years of Lead" due to the great number of terrorist acts, and politically motivated assassinations).
Acting
Gassman's magnetic performance as a man rotting from within.
Direction
Risi balances farce and genuine tragedy without blinking.
Writing
Dialogue that stings with social commentary disguised as wit.
Director
Dino Risi
Vittorio Gassman
Albino Millozza
Aurore Clément
Margot
Andrée Lachapelle
Giulia
Stefano Madia
Marco Millozza
Julien Guiomar
Parrella
Joanne Côté
Laura
Piero Del Papa
Duilio
Pietro Tordi
padre di Albino
Clara Colosimo
Myrta
Andrew Lord Miller
Rudolf
Sergio Ciulli
giornalista
Pino Ferrara
marito di Margot
Mila Stanić
Rosemarie
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 'Years of Lead' (Anni di Piombo) were Italy's most violent decade—over 400 political assassinations. Risi dares to make this backdrop for a comedy of manners.
Risi and Gassman made over a dozen films together, but this was their last collaboration. Gassman's performance here is widely considered his most brutally self-aware.
IT
