Okay, let's rewind the tape. Forget the multiplex queues and sticky floors for a moment. Picture this: it's a Friday night, maybe early 90s, you're browsing the packed shelves of the local video store, fluorescent lights buzzing overhead. Hidden amongst the action heroes and sci-fi epics, nestled in the "Foreign Comedy" section (or maybe just "Comedy" if your store was adventurous), sits a brightly coloured box featuring tanned bodies, sunny beaches, and maybe a mischievous glint in someone's eye. You take a chance. You pop Suntanned (or Abbronzatissimi as our Italian friends know it) from 1991 into the VCR, the tracking lines flicker for a second, and suddenly you're whisked away to the sun-drenched chaos of the Adriatic Riviera.
Welcome to Rimini '91
This isn't high art, folks, let's get that straight. But what Suntanned delivers, under the direction of Bruno Gaburro but penned with the unmistakable DNA of Italian comedy titans Carlo Vanzina and Enrico Vanzina (along with Gaburro himself), is pure, unadulterated early 90s escapism. Think of it as Italy's answer to the ensemble beach party movies, but with more expressive hand gestures and a distinctly European sensibility. The Vanzina brothers practically owned this breezy, slightly naughty, multi-storyline comedy format throughout the 80s and 90s with hits like Sapore di Mare (1983), and their influence here is palpable, even with Gaburro at the helm.
The setup is classic: a sprawling cast of characters descends upon a bustling beach resort in Rimini, their lives and romantic entanglements destined to collide under the relentless summer sun. We've got love triangles, mistaken identities, generational clashes, and the kind of light-hearted, occasionally cringe-worthy (by today's standards) humour that defined the era. It's a whirlwind of activity, moving quickly between storylines, never dwelling too long on any single plot point, aiming squarely for laughs and relatability – 90s Italian style.
The Sun-Kissed Ensemble
Leading the charge is the ever-present Jerry Calà, a veritable institution in Italian comedy. Here, he plays Billy, the resort's resident pianist and womaniser, delivering his lines with that familiar blend of charm and exasperation. Calà was riding high in this period, a guaranteed draw for domestic audiences, and he slips into this role like a comfortable pair of espadrilles. Remember seeing his face pop up on those imported VHS tapes? He was everywhere for a while.
Alongside him, we have the stunning Alba Parietti as Aurora, embodying the early 90s Italian bombshell archetype perfectly. Parietti was a huge TV personality and model in Italy at the time, and her casting added significant glamour and buzz. Then there's the comedic energy of Teo Teocoli, another familiar face from Italian screens, adding his own brand of silliness to the mix. The supporting cast is filled with recognisable Italian actors of the time, each contributing to the film's chaotic tapestry of summer flings and farcical situations. It's the interplay between these characters, bouncing off each other amidst the beach umbrellas and hotel lobbies, that forms the core of the film's appeal.
That Early 90s Italian Flavour
Watching Suntanned today is like opening a time capsule. The fashion! The hairstyles! The synth-pop soundtrack! It's all gloriously, unashamedly early 90s. The humour, typical of the Vanzina school, relies heavily on misunderstandings, double entendres, and stereotypes that might raise an eyebrow now, but felt par for the course back then. It’s less about sharp wit and more about situational comedy and recognisable character types – the frustrated husband, the flirtatious wife, the hopeful young lovers, the cynical observer.
Here's a little Retro Fun Fact: Films like Suntanned were incredibly popular in Italy, often released during the summer or Christmas holidays (the latter earning the nickname cinepanettoni – 'Christmas movie cakes'). They were reliable box office performers, tapping into a desire for light, relatable entertainment. Suntanned itself was successful enough to spawn a sequel just two years later, Abbronzatissimi 2 - Un anno dopo (1993), bringing back some of the cast for another round of seaside antics. Shot on location in Rimini, the film genuinely captures the vibrant, slightly overwhelming atmosphere of a packed Italian beach resort in peak season – you can almost smell the sunscreen and hear the distant chatter.
Is the Tan Still Golden?
Look, the comedy hasn't all aged like fine wine. Some jokes land with a thud, and the pacing can feel relentless rather than brisk at times. It lacks the genuine heart of some earlier Vanzina classics. But there's an undeniable charm to its sun-soaked silliness. It doesn't pretend to be anything more than a frothy, fun distraction, a snapshot of Italian popular culture at the dawn of the 90s. For those of us who remember stumbling upon these European comedies on VHS, perhaps rented on a whim or discovered late at night on a fuzzy TV channel, there's a specific kind of nostalgic warmth here. It represents a different flavour of comedy from what Hollywood was serving up – faster, looser, maybe a bit cheekier.
***
VHS Heaven Rating: 6/10
Justification: The rating reflects the film's status as a fun, if somewhat dated and formulaic, piece of early 90s Italian pop culture. It delivers exactly what it promises – lighthearted escapism, recognisable stars (for the era/region), and a specific brand of Vanzina-esque comedy. It earns points for its energetic ensemble, authentic atmosphere, and nostalgic value, but loses some for humour that hasn't entirely stood the test of time and a fairly predictable plot structure. It's no masterpiece, but it's a pleasant enough dip back into the shallow end of the 90s comedy pool.
Final Rewind: Suntanned is pure VHS-era gelato – sweet, colourful, melts away quickly, and probably best enjoyed on a hot day when you don't want anything too heavy. A time capsule best appreciated with a dose of nostalgia.