Alright, fellow tape travelers, gather 'round the flickering glow of the CRT. Tonight, we're popping in a tape that might have caught your eye back in the day, nestled perhaps between a Stallone epic and a John Hughes classic, radiating pure, unadulterated 1980s European gloss: Sergio Corbucci's Stuff for the Rich (or Roba da Ricchi, 1987). Seeing Corbucci's name, the maestro behind gritty masterpieces like Django (1966) and the snow-blind nihilism of The Great Silence (1968), might make you expect gunfights and existential despair. Instead, you get... Monte Carlo, misunderstandings, and three titans of Italian comedy running wild. It's like finding out Martin Scorsese directed a lost episode of Three's Company, and honestly? That jarring disconnect is half the fun.
### Fun in the Sun (and Casinos)
Stuff for the Rich isn't a single narrative, but rather three separate comedic vignettes unfolding against the sun-drenched, money-soaked backdrop of Monaco. Think Plaza Suite but with more gesticulation and 80s synth-pop. This episodic structure was a popular format in Italian comedy, often designed to showcase the distinct talents of its stars, letting each comedian command their own little universe within the film. And what stars they were! Italy in the 80s had its own comedic royalty, and this film brings together three of the biggest names: Paolo Villaggio, Lino Banfi, and Renato Pozzetto.
### The Triple Threat of Italian Laughs
Each segment plays to the strengths of its lead. Paolo Villaggio, forever beloved as the perpetually unlucky accountant Fantozzi in his own long-running film series, plays Attilio, a nervous insurance man who gets mistaken for a millionaire playboy by a beautiful woman (played by the stunning Laura Antonelli, a screen legend in her own right). Villaggio’s genius for physical comedy and portraying crippling social anxiety is on full display here, even if the situations feel broader and sunnier than his usual fare. His wide-eyed panic amidst the opulence is classic Villaggio.
Then there's Lino Banfi, the master of the blustering, easily exasperated Southern Italian stereotype. He plays Petruzzelli, a wealthy Commendatore convinced his wife (Milena Vukotic) is having an affair. Banfi’s rapid-fire delivery (even if you're relying on subtitles, the energy is infectious) and explosive frustration fuel his segment, involving ridiculous disguises and escalating paranoia. It’s pure farce, cranked up to eleven with that specific Banfi energy that could power a small principality. Retro Fun Fact: Banfi was such a national treasure in Italy, his comedic style and catchphrases became ingrained in the popular culture of the era.
Rounding out the trio is Renato Pozzetto, known for his more surreal, deadpan, and often charmingly absurd characters. Here, he’s Don Vittorino, a priest who finds a briefcase full of cash belonging to some very dangerous people. Pozzetto’s understated confusion and gentle bewilderment provide a different comedic rhythm, a calm center in the storm of mistaken identities and potential danger. It’s a testament to the film’s casting that these three distinct comedic personas occupy the same film without stepping on each other's toes.
### Corbucci Coasting in Comfort?
So, what about the man behind the camera, Sergio Corbucci? While his name conjures images of dusty plains and bloody showdowns, Corbucci was actually quite versatile, directing numerous comedies throughout his career, often collaborating with his brother, Bruno Corbucci, himself a prolific comedy director (and co-writer here). Stuff for the Rich feels less like a passion project and more like a well-oiled commercial vehicle. The direction is competent but largely unobtrusive, letting the stars and the scenery do the heavy lifting. There's little of the visual flair or gritty atmosphere associated with his famous westerns. Retro Fun Fact: The film leans heavily into the 'cinepanettone' vibe – glossy, escapist comedies often set in luxurious holiday locations, released around Christmas time in Italy to capture the festive audience. Filming on location in Monte Carlo wasn't just for show; it was integral to the aspirational fantasy these films sold.
The whole production screams 1987 – the slightly oversized suits, the feathered hair, the synthesiser score that bubbles along cheerfully. It’s a time capsule of European vacation glamour, a world away from the rain-slicked streets or dusty towns of Corbucci's usual haunts. There are no gritty practical effects to marvel at here, no death-defying stunts. The spectacle is the setting, the real yachts, the opulent casinos – a different kind of 'practical effect' compared to blowing up a car, perhaps, showcasing real wealth rather than simulated destruction.
### Does the Humor Translate?
Watching Stuff for the Rich today requires a certain mindset. The humor is broad, situational, and deeply rooted in the specific personas of its stars and Italian cultural references of the time. Some gags land universally, relying on classic farcical misunderstandings, while others might feel a bit dated or lost in translation. It lacks the sharp satire found in some Italian comedies, aiming squarely for light entertainment. Retro Fun Fact: The film was successful enough in Italy to spawn a sequel, Roba da Ricchi - Parte Seconda, directed by Bruno Corbucci and released remarkably quickly, later the same year, though featuring different vignettes (only Pozzetto returned from the main trio). That's rapid-fire filmmaking!
It wasn't exactly setting the critical world alight upon release, often seen as fluffy commercial fare, but it delivered exactly what audiences expected from its powerhouse cast. Finding this on VHS outside of Italy might have been a bit of a treasure hunt, a glimpse into a parallel comedic universe running alongside Hollywood. I remember stumbling across tapes like this at the more adventurous rental stores, drawn in by the unfamiliar stars and the promise of something different.
***
VHS Heaven Rating: 6/10
Justification: This rating reflects the film's undeniable charm for fans of 80s Italian comedy and its superstar trio. Villaggio, Banfi, and Pozzetto are genuinely funny, and the Monte Carlo backdrop provides pleasant escapism. However, the episodic structure feels slight, the direction is functional rather than inspired (especially given Corbucci's pedigree), and much of the humor is broad and distinctly of its time, potentially limiting its appeal for a wider modern audience unfamiliar with the context. It's enjoyable, but not essential viewing unless you have a specific affinity for the stars or the genre.
Final Thought: Stuff for the Rich is pure, sun-drenched 80s Italian froth – less a movie, more a celebrity showcase vacation captured on celluloid. Like finding an old postcard from a glamorous trip you vaguely remember, it's a pleasant, lightweight nostalgic hit, best enjoyed without expecting cinematic revolution.