El soltero

Another beautifully observed comic gem from Antonio Pietrangeli with Alberto Sordi 'in piena forma' as the bachelor of the title. Sordi's films are noted for having a dig at the Italian way of life and he often parodies the less redeeming features of the peacock that is the Italian male. Here he plays Paolo, a fridge salesman and tinpot Don Juan. His biological clock urges him to settle down but he soon discovers that finding a winner in the Love Stakes is no easy matter. It finally dawns on him that the antipathy shown towards him by one of his clients, played by svelte Swiss Miss Madeleine Fischer, actually conceals far deeper feelings..........

I am ashamed to admit that for a while the appeal of Signor Sordi eluded me but having the seen the error of my ways I now recognise him for the superlative artiste that he is.

Every character in this is perfectly cast and Pietrangeli again shows the touches of a master. The film is aided by the quirky, understated score of Angelo Lavagnino.

This is early days for this director with his best films yet to come. Following his tragic death at just forty-nine his final film 'How, when and with whom' was completed by the talented Valerio Zurlini.

This is of course very much a period piece and the sexist attitudes on display will be total anathema to Feminists but it nonetheless remains touching, delightful and thoroughly entertaining.