One of the best Italian comedies of the 50s. Taking his cue from the chronicle of the era (the lack of popular housing and the 1958 merlin law that had abolished the brothels) Bolognini, with his usual polite and elegant direction, sets up a funny bittersweet comedy about the vicissitudes of a roman family that is living for rent in a former brothel. The award-winning comic duo of De Filippo (variety lights, boccaccio 70) and Toto (guards and thieves, big deal on madonna street) is really on full throttle here (especially peppino de filippo excels in a more serious role than usual) but equally terrific is the interpretation of mrs Adani, a theater actress with Visconti in one of her rare film appearances. Also noteworthy in minor roles Franca Valeri, vittorio Caprioli and the young beautiful Cristina Gaioni, the Italian Bardot. If you want to enjoy the great prince of laughter Toto in a less farcical (but still funny as hell) role this forgotten gem is not to be missed!
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