Marcello Mastroianni is a happily married travelling business man, who is in for a surprise when he comes home from one of his local business trips, being charged with bigamy. The problem is he does not know who this previously married supposed wife of his is, having never seen her before in all his life. She insists on having been married to him seven years ago, whereupon he disappeared after a few days to buy some cigarettes but never returned. This sends shock waves through all his family, who don't believe his assertions, as he has been known for his business tricks, and who demand that his wife leave him with their son. Vittorio de Sica comes to the rescue and gives a performance at court which alone makes the film worth while. There are great scenes at court, all families and relatives being passionately engaged, while the chief value of the film is to see Marcello Mastroianni and Vittorio de Sica act together. De Sica's role as the advocate is the greatest fun of all, as he makes a great Italian drama out of it in flamboyant eloquence. As the problem finally is pinned down to a simple confusion, all's well and ends well. It's a very Italian comedy from beginning to end.
Review of The Bigamist
