Tolo Tolo

"Tolo Tolo" has its good moments and genuinely funny scenes. This is a movie about racism and the difficulty to integrate in a different culture, but this time the emigrant is Checco Zalone. The movie makes you understand what people that are running away from Africa because of the war need to endure in order to get to safety. The director criticizes European Politics, he shows the ignorance of the Italian population and the overall superficiality of people when it comes to empathizing with some difficult situations. Zalone is as always funny and he made me laugh a lot. His comedy might be a little bit too aggressive for some, but I am happy that there are still people in Italy willing to make these jokes, because this is the kind of humor that I am looking for. Checco already explored a few of these topics in previous movies, therefore a few plot elements felt a bit too exploited. However if you are searching for something light-hearted to watch with some friends, "Tolo Tolo" is just perfect to spend one hour and half.

As usual, Zalone tries to "educate" the audience by impersonating characters who reflect some of the worst Italian stereotypes and behaviors. This time the main theme is immigration from Africa. The movie is full of irreverent jokes and gags that aim to politically correctness, hypocriticals, racists, do-gooders, embedded reporters, politicians, fashion-addicts and fascists. Although one would expect some drama (given the issues addressed), this is a comedy and my advice is: Don't take it too seriously. Personally, I didn't like the end and I must admit that Zalone's previous movies (directed by Nunziante) were probably better made. However, the movie is enjoyable and gives some food for thoughts.

Really poor comedy. Zalone tries to replicate the previous successes but he collects a huge and embarrassing failure.

You can tell that this is the fruit of a deeply well-though creative and sociological process. Zalone takes about 2 to 3 years to complete a movie project and this allows him to have such results. The movie is full of great jokes which only Italians can fuly appreciate (I guess), some of them very witty, others apparently low-level but that make sense for the character's attitude. The obvious theme of the movie is immigration and it is well depicted together with all the hypocrisy around the topic. I watched it as an Italian with other Italian friends and know by experience how precise the social commentary adn satire of the film was. The idea of the trailer for the movie was also the touch of a genius, as its apparently politically incorrect tones made also a ton of bigot or shallow people to go and watch it at the cinemas: the movie is clearly the opposite of racist (as any human being with decency or a glimpse of culture could not support such a stand).

Probably only appropriate for an exclusively Italian audience, the movie has its strength in the very topical subject of immigration, basis of the entire plot. As per its extravagant character and director Checco Zalone, the movie has a very peculiar comic style, which can be either loved or hated. Very hilarious gags are alternated with some dubious gaps in the plot. Overall, an enjoyable movie to watch.