I do indeed remember that movie (I must have rented it at Vidiots - a great independent video store in Santa Monica that, sadly, went out of business a few years ago due to greedy landlords).
It was controversial at the time due to Brusati's grotesque - some would say, insulting - satire of stereotypical Italian foibles.
But his fellow Italians forgave him - and he went on to make a number of other well-known comedies.
My favorite, hands down, is Lo zio indegno - 'The Sleazy Uncle'.
It's the story of a free-spirited, irreverent senior citizen (played by the late, great Vittorio Gassman) who despite being a failed writer and living in poverty, hasn't lost his zest for life one bit.
If you can find a subtitled version it online (or not, if you're fluent in Italian), I highly recommend it.
You'll laugh; you'll cry.
Director Franco Brusati (left) discusses a scene in his 1989 comedy 'The Sleazy Uncle' with actors Vittorio Gassman and Giancarlo Giannini (in robe).
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