UNA BANDA DI MATTI IN VACANZA PREMIO

Cinemavixion Review

Ninì Grassia's 'Una Banda di Matti in Vacanza Premio' presents a bizarre premise: a night school class composed of eccentric middle-aged students. The narrative centers on two individuals with contrasting conditions: Carletto, who has a mental handicap but a healthy body, and Egidio, nicknamed Barone Rosso, who possesses a sharp mind but suffers from a body plagued by tremors due to an accident. Their professor, Federe (played by Alex Damiani), proposes a radical solution – a brain transplant, swapping the minds of Barone Rosso and Carletto. To facilitate this operation, he offers the entire class a 'vacation prize,' suggesting a rather unconventional approach to student motivation. While the plot hints at dark comedy and perhaps social commentary, the execution, typical of Grassia's oeuvre, leans towards the absurd and low-brow, with performances that often prioritize broad strokes over nuanced character development. The film's unique concept, however, might appeal to those seeking offbeat Italian comedies from the late 80s.