Alright fellow tapeheads, slide that worn cassette into the VCR, maybe give the tracking a little nudge, and settle in. Tonight on VHS Heaven, we're skipping the usual Hollywood explosions (though we love 'em!) and taking a budget flight straight to the sun-drenched beaches of early 90s Italy with Suntanned: One Year Later (original title: Abbronzatissimi un anno dopo), a 1993 slice of pure, unadulterated Euro-comedy. If your video store adventures ever led you down the "Foreign Comedy" aisle, perhaps nestled between a French farce and a German oddity, you might just remember the vibrant covers promising sun, skin, and silly situations. This one delivers exactly that, a nostalgic time capsule wrapped in questionable fashion choices and fuelled by espresso.
Sequels, Sun, and Shenanigans
First things first, yes, this is a sequel to 1991's Abbronzatissimi. Director Bruno Gaburro, a reliable craftsman of these light Italian entertainments, returned alongside the undisputed king of this particular comedic castle, Jerry Calà. If you're not familiar with Calà, picture a whirlwind of frantic energy, knowing winks to the camera, and a delivery that practically bounces off the screen – he was a massive star in Italy, the face of countless summer and Christmas comedies (cinepanettoni and their sunny cousins) that packed local cinemas. Suntanned: One Year Later basically takes the established formula – throw a bunch of colourful characters together in a seaside resort and let the romantic mishaps, misunderstandings, and general chaos unfold.
The "plot," as such, isn't really the point here. Much like its predecessor, the film weaves together multiple storylines featuring hotel guests and staff during the peak summer season. Calà reprises his role as Billy Damasco, the resident pianist/singer/charmer at the big hotel, navigating romantic entanglements and trying to keep the holiday vibes going. Joining him are familiar faces like the stunning Eva Grimaldi and Vanessa Gravina, both adding glamour and participating in their own comedic subplots, often involving mistaken identities, jealous partners, or unlikely attractions. It’s the kind of film where narrative complexity takes a backseat to situational humour and personality clashes. Retro Fun Fact: These films were often shot quickly and efficiently right in the bustling Italian beach resorts like Rimini or Riccione during the off-season or shoulder season, using the natural vibrancy (and sometimes the actual tourists) as a backdrop, lending them an air of chaotic authenticity.
That Certain Italian Charm (and Cheese)
What makes a film like Suntanned: One Year Later interesting now, looking back through our nostalgia-tinted CRT screens? It’s the sheer, unapologetic Italian-ness of it all. The pacing is brisk, almost frantic at times, bouncing between characters like a beachball caught in a breeze. The humour is broad, relying on slapstick, double entendres (some likely lost in translation if you relied on subtitles), and character archetypes that were instantly recognizable to its home audience. Think less witty banter, more exaggerated reactions and farcical setups.
Bruno Gaburro wasn't trying to reinvent the wheel; he was delivering exactly what audiences expected from a summer comedy sequel starring Jerry Calà. The direction is functional, serving the gags and keeping things moving. You won't find groundbreaking cinematography here, but the camera captures the bright, sunny aesthetic effectively. It feels like summer – the crowded beaches, the bustling hotel lobbies, the slightly sticky sheen on everyone. Another Retro Fun Fact: Jerry Calà was famous for his catchphrases in Italy, and fans would go to these movies expecting to hear them – part of the draw was seeing him do his established, much-loved comedic routine within the film's framework.
The VHS Glow-Up
Watching this on tape back in the day was an experience. Maybe the colours bled a little, maybe the sound wasn't Dolby perfect, but there was a certain charm to these imports. They felt a bit exotic, a window into a different kind of mainstream entertainment. Compared to slick Hollywood comedies, Suntanned feels looser, more improvisational (even if it wasn't), and refreshingly unconcerned with being cool. It’s all about evoking that feeling of a summer holiday where anything can happen, usually something ridiculous. The fashion is pure early 90s Euro-beach chic (think bright colours, questionable prints, maybe some high-cut swimwear), and the soundtrack likely featured some infectious Italo-pop tunes of the era.
Does it hold up? Well, that depends. If you're looking for sophisticated satire or deep character arcs, amico mio, you've booked the wrong holiday. But if you appreciate the specific flavour of popular European comedies from this period, or if you have a fondness for Jerry Calà's particular brand of comedic energy, there's definitely fun to be had. It’s a cultural artifact, a snapshot of what made Italian audiences laugh en masse during those sun-soaked summers. It wasn't aiming for international acclaim; it was aiming squarely at its home crowd, promising familiar faces and reliable laughs, much like finding that trusted brand of chips at the snack bar.
VHS Heaven Rating: 5/10
Justification: The rating reflects the film's nature as a light, formulaic, but regionally popular comedy sequel. It delivers exactly what it promises – breezy, low-stakes fun anchored by a beloved local star (Jerry Calà) and quintessential Italian summer vibes. It earns points for nostalgic charm, capturing the specific feel of early 90s Euro-comedy, and its connection to a successful predecessor. However, the humour is very broad, the plot is flimsy, and its appeal is definitely niche and tied to its specific cultural context. It's not a hidden gem of cinematic art, but it’s an enjoyable enough piece of fluff if you're in the right mood for some uncomplicated Mediterranean silliness.
Final Take: Forget deep thoughts; Suntanned: One Year Later is the cinematic equivalent of a cheap, colourful beach towel – not exactly high fashion, maybe a little frayed around the edges, but undeniably sunny and perfect for stretching out and forgetting your troubles for 90 minutes. A time capsule best served chilled.