Alright, fellow tapeheads, let’s rewind to the sun-drenched shores of the Adriatic, specifically to the neon-lit, hormonally charged summer captured in Sergio Corbucci's 1987 Italian comedy smash, Rimini Rimini. Finding this one tucked away on a dusty rental shelf, maybe with a slightly worn cover hinting at seaside shenanigans, felt like uncovering a specific kind of European holiday chaos – loud, a bit vulgar, undeniably energetic, and utterly, unapologetically 80s.
This isn't your subtle character study, folks. Rimini Rimini is an episodic plunge into the lives colliding during peak tourist season. Think American Graffiti meets the Italian Riviera, dialed up with that distinct brand of Continental humor that could swing from charmingly silly to outright broad, sometimes within the same scene. Forget a single plot; we get a handful of loosely connected vignettes, each chasing love, lust, or laughs under the blazing Italian sun.
Summer Shenanigans, Italian Style
The ensemble cast is key here, a real who's who of Italian popular cinema at the time. You've got the legendary Paolo Villaggio (forever beloved as Fantozzi), playing a ridiculous judge trying desperately to fulfill his wife's kinky fantasies. Then there’s the magnetic Serena Grandi, who practically became the Italian sex symbol of the era partly thanks to this film, playing a temptress involved in a complex wager. And who could forget Jerry Calà, embodying the quintessential smooth-talking (or trying-to-be-smooth) Italian beach bum, chasing summer flings with relentless optimism? Each segment offers a different flavour of farce, from mistaken identities and marital mishaps to elaborate cons and youthful crushes.
What's fascinating is seeing Sergio Corbucci behind the camera. This is the man who gave us gritty, iconic Spaghetti Westerns like Django (1966) and The Great Silence (1968)! Seeing his name attached to this frothy, often raunchy comedy might seem jarring, but Corbucci was actually a versatile director who tackled various genres throughout his career. He co-wrote this one with several others, including his brother Bruno Corbucci, another prolific comedy director. They knew exactly what kind of escapism Italian audiences craved, and Rimini Rimini delivered massively, becoming a huge box office success in its home country, even spawning a sequel, Rimini Rimini - Un anno dopo (1988), the very next year.
That Unmistakable 80s Glaze
Watching Rimini Rimini today is like opening a time capsule sealed sometime around August '87. The fashion! The hairstyles! The synth-pop soundtrack pulsing through beach bars and discos! It’s all gloriously, sometimes hilariously, dated. The humor, too, is very much of its time – occasionally leaning into stereotypes and situations that wouldn't fly today, but delivered with such gusto and a lack of pretense that it mostly lands as silly rather than offensive, viewed through a nostalgic lens. It captures a certain carefree, almost hedonistic vibe of the era, a fantasy of endless summer where responsibilities seem miles away. Remember that feeling? This film bottles it.
The production itself feels authentically there. Filmed on location in Rimini, the city becomes a vibrant character in its own right – the crowded beaches, the bustling promenade, the slightly tacky but lively hotels. There’s a palpable energy that feels less like a constructed set and more like Corbucci just pointed his camera at the glorious chaos of an Italian summer resort town and let rip. It wasn't aiming for high art; it was aiming for maximum entertainment, Italian style.
Beyond the Beach Towels
Sure, some jokes might feel ancient now, and the pacing across the different stories isn't always even. One segment might drag slightly while another delivers rapid-fire gags. But the sheer commitment of the cast and the vibrant atmosphere pull you through. Serena Grandi's storyline, involving her character Lola using her allure to manipulate a situation, probably holds up best in terms of plot intrigue, while Villaggio provides reliable bursts of physical comedy and absurdity. Jerry Calà's relentless pursuit of romance is Peak Italian Comedy Trope, instantly recognizable to anyone familiar with the genre from that period.
It’s the kind of film that probably played endlessly on Italian television during summer afternoons, or got passed around on nth-generation VHS copies among friends. It might not be profound, but it’s a colourful, energetic snapshot of a specific time and place, delivered with a wink and a nudge.
Rating: 6/10
Why this score? Rimini Rimini is undeniably dated and its episodic nature means some parts work better than others. The humor can be broad and occasionally crass by today's standards. However, its value lies in its vibrant energy, its snapshot of 80s Italian beach culture, committed performances from comedy mainstays, and its status as a massive domestic hit. It’s pure, unadulterated escapism from another era, warts and all. For fans of European comedies of the time or anyone craving a blast of unfiltered 80s seaside silliness, it offers nostalgic charm.
Final Take: Forget cinematic masterpieces; Rimini Rimini is pure, sun-baked VHS comfort food – a loud, messy, sometimes problematic, but ultimately good-natured slice of 80s Italian summer that’s best enjoyed with the critical part of your brain switched slightly off and the nostalgia dial turned way up. Pass the Limoncello!