Sweet-sour comedy on Italy's 1950s rage to get rich as fast as possible! The businessman wants to satisfy his wife's craving for luxury and a "respectable life" so he becomes heavily indebted. In desperation he agrees to sell a precious part of his body for a large sum of money. But just before the crucial operation he panics...
Direction
De Sica weaponizes charm against the Italian nouveau riche.
Acting
Alberto Sordi's escalating desperation is physical comedy gold.
Director
Vittorio De Sica
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 'boom' refers to Italy's post-war economic miracle, when suddenly everyone pretended they'd always been rich.
De Sica made this between neorealist masterpieces—some critics saw it as selling out, but it's really selling in, to the absurdity.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
IT
