Poveri ma Ricchissimi, written and directed by Fausto Brizzi - 6 out of 10

Poveri ma Ricchissimi, written and directed by Fausto Brizzi
6 out of 10


If the first film in the series had some very good moments, in this sequel there seems to be no gem hidden in the story.

Christian De Sica, who looks strikingly like his father, is an extraordinarily talented artist and he is charming again in the role of Danilo Tucci.
Alas, his contribution is not enough to lift this mediocre film from obscurity...in value terms, for at the box office, the movie might have been very successful.

Some of the themes are relevant, the tax avoiding issue for instance, or the unhappiness that rich people may feel, in spite, or in some cases because, of their large fortunes.
When grandmother seems to be dying, she is upset, but not so much because of her imminent, immediate departure, but on account of her poverty.

Having won many millions in the first film about the Tuccis - the Italian adaptation, for the original comedy was a French film - they would later lose it.
Or so they thought.

Only now they find than in fact, much of the wealth as been saved.
It doesn't matter how, for the plot, events of the movie are not susceptible to resist almost any scrutiny.

When they find they are wealthy again, the clan wants to...spend it.
They buy a small castle...small for a castle, but huge otherwise.

Upon hearing that the Italian state would take sixty percent of their income, they decide to organize a referendum, modeled on Brexit and eventually take their small town of Torresecca out of Italy.
The idea of dodging taxes is so popular in Italy- and elsewhere- that Danilo Tucci becomes favorite to replace the present prime minister of Italy.

Danilo is now the Príncipe of Torresecca, modeled on Monaco, Lichtenstein and other small principalities.
But he is no aristocratic ruler.

When he meets the Prime Minister for a debate, he kicks his ass...
Literally...twice.

However, this sequel is inferior  to the first film in the series.