Il giocattolo (1979) User Reviews

The italian 'Taxi Driver'

[Sigmund · 8/10 · 21 August 1999]

An excellent dramatic movie featuring the great Nino Manfredi. Indeed, between 'Il giocattolo' (literally 'the toy') and 'Taxi driver' there are big differences, but also one common ground: how a man entrapped in a boring life is fascinated by guns and tries to fight his way out. The italian film is more dramatic and pessimistic. Both are excellent movies. I suppose it is nearly impossible for americans to see this one, anyway, if you ever get a chance...

Awesome Italian flick

[searchanddestroy-1 · 2 March 2023]

I have never been deceived by any Giuliano Montaldo's films I have seen. This one is not really a crime flick, but a powerful social drama starring a surprising and ever excellent Marlène Jobert. It is a gloomy story, some kind of a TAXI DRIVER scheme. The audiences may easily feel empathy for the tragic fate of this man, Nino Manfredi. His fascination for guns is really disturbing, but so realistic in the same time. The Ennio Morricone score participates to the powerful strength of this picture, very rare indeed. It is a violent drama, the kind of movie that American film industry can provide from time to time, but the indie industry, certainly not Hollywood.