L'emigrante (1973) User Reviews

Homage to film and more

[kosmasp · 7/10 · 25 June 2021]

Yes like the other reviewer I agree, especially the first half is like an homage to past comedy/slapstick performers. Since the title is close to the Immigrant by Charlie Chaplin, it is not far fetched to say that this is one of them. I have not watched that in ages, so I can't really say what specifically may be a recall, but you can see and tell from how certain scenes go that it feels like a throwback.

Adriano Celentano was quite the known actor in his hey day. And while I reckon for younger audiences it may seem weird, he was also considered a sex idol or at least someone the girls went crazy for. Which I reckon again goes to show us, that if you are a good comedian, looks may not matter that much (at least for women and maybe some men).

So while it's arguably not his best movie, it still is a fun one to watch.

Slapstick and sentimental songs

[Chip_douglas · 3 February 2004]

The first half of 'L'Emigrante' seems to be a homage to Chaplin's 'The Immigrant'. It even starts in black and white with a small boy watching his father board a ship to America. Years later, all grown up and in colour, Pippolo Cavallo (Adriano Celentano) takes the same route (dressed as a woman) to search for his father and begin a new life (not to mention avoid the draft). You would think the second half is a nod to 'The Godfather Part Two', if this one had not come out a year earlier.

The film boasts impressive production values including authentic looking costumes and locations. Numerous Italian folk songs also help to transport us to Little Italy of a century ago. Still our hero has to sleep in the park after failing at all sorts of odd jobs like shoe shine boy, waiter, paperboy and coroner. A running gag involves Sybil Danning as a drunk socialite who has the hots for Pippolo, but he only has eyes for Rosita Flores (Claudia Mori), an Italian folk singer whom he met on the way to America.

After a string of silly situations in the first half of the film, the comedy makes way for more serious themes and plot twists when Pippolo gets into a life of crime and starts to learn more about his father. Adriano Celentano certainly proves that he can play more than the loudmouth, selfimportant characters that would become the staple of his career. Just when you thought the film has become a straight drama, the sillyness returns for the final sequence.

6 out of 10