Once upon a time there were crimes, a review of another story

Once there was a crime here is the title of the chapter in which they shout: “Pajamas Mona Lisa“, brings our heroes back to the time of the truce. Released in March 2022, it offers a new choral story under the direction of the director. Maximilian Bruno. For his character Gianfranco, the Einstein-Rosen portals no longer have secrets. So the gang of friends essentially specialized in time travel.

From a very modern and technological control room and with the help of the latest devices, everything is ready for a new comedy. What goes hand in hand with fantasy and “quote culture” and Easter eggs. Based on believable dialogue and characters. Referring to historical events recorded in school textbooks and to the rhythm militants. And offers the viewer a show that can both entertain and make you think.

Once there was a crime, the actors

Laurella HeatherIn execution Julia BevilacquaGianfranco’s assistant. Sebastian ended up in jail. Marco Giallini Moreno AND Gianmarco Tognazzi Joseph they welcome Renatino Edward Leo who decided to return to his own time, in 1982. So, the plan to restore the Mona Lisa needs a new element in the “gang”.

The choice falls on Claudio Ranieri, his cousin. Neapolitan professor of history with a face Giampaolo Morelli. With him in the team, our heroes will be able to go on a new adventure. in which they will meet Adele, Caroline CrescentiniMoreno’s grandmother, photographer and anti-fascist. Monicahis daughter, played by a little girl Penelope Flamma. AND Sandro (Pertini) performed by actor and director Roland Ravello.

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Long ago there was a crime, a conspiracy

With watches showing the position and coordinates of the portals, as well as passes and an antique Nazi uniform bought from Porta Portez, the three are ready to leave. The abbreviation tells about the operation of extracting the Mona Lisa from the chest at the Chateau de Chambord on the Loire. All comics

and with a soundtrack typical of this trilogy, imitating police films. What is happening now?

On the border of France and Italy, on the way to Camogli, they are exposed by the Germans. Give them an answer in Italian Joseph. And then the only possibility is to get to the farmhouse. AdeleMoreno’s grandmother. After the ritual “acquaintance”, during the war, there is an exciting meeting with his mother Monica, still a child. But at night, soldiers break into the house, and the little girl hides in a van that takes her away.

Facts of the story told in the film

The group with Mona Lisa in a backpack and a desperate Adele went to Naples. According to Claudio, it is from this port that the soldiers will leave. Unfortunately they arrive late. And on the territory where it is difficult to understand who are enemies and who are friends, they meet the barred trunks of two partisans. In the presence of their leader, they recognize Pertini as the future President of the Republic.

In the test in Skopone, they try to get to know Sandro. And they quote Haber’s poems (“Freedom is participation“) and Toto Cutugno (“…and a partisan as president“). But Claudio is fond of the game and jokes about a convincing victory in the cards. Therefore, in response, he and Moreno arrange an explosion. He was captured by the Nazis.

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In front of the capomanipolo being played Massimiliano Vadolisten to Badoglio’s ceasefire communiqué on the radio. And Claudio, knowing history, again manages to manage events. Identification of the place where the king will take Mussolini prisoner. These details are listened to by Adele and Giuseppe, hidden outside the fascist command.

“Real” staging and filming with Duce

As in old-fashioned comedies like Toto and Sordi, here the meeting takes place in the throne room. Instead of the king and his wife, a married couple from Abruzzo was persuaded to this role, promising something to eat. Everything is presented to Giuseppe disguised as a servant of His Majesty. And Adele pretends to be a waitress in an apron and crinolines.

But everything changes when the real Vittorio Emanuele arrives. So, our main characters are taken prisoner. In the room where they are kept, they hear a voice. It is the Duce, stunned and in a T-shirt, reflecting on recent events. In front of Giuseppe, Moreno and Claudio, he is frustrated and wonders who he will go down in history. But when he discovers that Adele is also here, he wants to meet her. What will happen between them? A modern fashion model who wants to pose for the best shot.

Once upon a time there was crime, a gang that chooses glory

Faced with the iron rule of time travel, instead of interfering with historical events, the gang will allow the release of Mussolini by the Nazis, who will put him in charge of the Republic of Salo. This way they can escape. And find where they took Monica. At the moment there is only one choice.

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Skip the Mona Lisa. Which they will offer the Fuhrer himself on the air by phone in exchange for a child. The exchange is accepted and the child is safe. But it is at this moment that events will again go at an accelerated pace. This is an escalation that is reminiscent of the infamous behavior of the Nazis, specifically retaliation. That is, for every killed German, capture 10 Italians.

Once there was a crime, return thanks to friends

We do not reveal everything, otherwise we will ruin the ending. But know right now that there will be scenes where Massimiliano Bruno wanted to have this group of actors next to him. Who had the experience of fighting scenes behind them. Seasoning this story with some action movie that would be believable and convincing.

This brings us back to the present, but not for everyone. And at the end of a journey of three films and between genres. As the director himself could say “…the final episode… this time it has a richer and more respectful tone due to the painful problem we are facing.”. He talks about the coronavirus pandemic.

conclusions

Bruno did not disappoint: his ability to lead a group of actors through scenes and with different and extended scripts was a crescendo from the first to the last film. In that regard, the work done with the other writers was really interesting. Alexander Aronadio, Andrea Bassi AND Renato Sannio. In a complete pandemic. Embed the events of the main characters in the story. And the most painful and controversial part.

There is no shortage of dialogue and jokes, balancing between irony and comedy. Even involuntary, which oozes from certain historical events. But there is a memory effect. And make people think and reflect. Since sometimes some products do not allow you to do this.

There is also a really delicious ingredient that continues to exist. Those quotes

which turn out to be a complex and sophisticated means of communication, yet so direct and familiar. And then you accidentally recognize the newspaper that caused the sensation. Reminiscent of a football match that brings flavor and memories with it. Or the famous scene of a letter sent from the past, which is a proper and sincere tribute to the saga of Back to the Future.

Summing up, with “Once There Was a Crime” completes a journey in modern and mature Italian comedy.. In which the viewer feels presented and involved. And also made conscious and responsible for what is happening. And what happened before us. Thus, we can share the final choice of the main characters. In an important occasion, we strive for courage, loyalty and dedication.

In a story where a smile or a joke is not a low-level gimmick that makes everything flat and banal. But the element, useful and necessary, is a portal available to all so that one can move between the past, present and future without hiding. Especially for yourself. To our history. Capital or small letter, it doesn’t matter.