Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell (1968)

Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell is the kind of romantic comedy that wins you over with sheer charm, turning an outrageous postwar predicament into a warm, genuinely funny celebration of human foibles. Set against an inviting Italian backdrop, it leans on crisp dialogue and well-built situations that keep the laughs coming without ever losing affection for its characters. Gina Lollobrigida carries the film with effortless sparkle, while Telly Savalas adds a wonderfully mischievous edge that makes the ensemble feel like a dinner party you’re lucky to eavesdrop on. If you prefer your comedy broad and old-school rather than razor-sharp modern, this delightful throwback is an easy, enjoyable evening.

Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell is clearly aiming for a cheeky postwar farce with a romantic edge, built around a mischievous premise and a cast that knows how to play broad comedy. The problem is it starts brighter than it finishes: once the setup is established, the jokes get pushed too hard, the situations feel increasingly overcooked, and the momentum flounders into stretches that are more tiring than funny. If you enjoy 60s sex-comedy energy and don’t mind repetition while waiting for the inevitable reveal, you may still get a few laughs and some charm from the performances. If you need comedy that stays sharp and escalates rather than stalls, this one may leave you checking the time in the second half.