Avanti!

Set in the early 1970s, the film uses contemporary American wealth and Italian resort culture as a backdrop. The leisurely pace of Italian bureaucracy contrasts with brisk American efficiency, driving the plot's farcical delays. The story culminates with diplomatic and domestic scenes that reflect Cold War-era transatlantic ties.

The story unfolds on Ischia, a resort island in the Bay of Naples, centered around the Grand Hotel Excelsior where the funeral and social rituals unfold. It also threads back to Wendell Sr.'s Baltimore home base, illustrating the contrast between American corporate life and Italian leisure, bureaucracy, and hospitality. The denouement moves to Rome's airport as the couple's plans collide with diplomacy and long-distance logistics.

💖 Romance

A romance blossoms between Wendell and Pamela as they navigate an improbable family crisis. What starts as friction fueled by pride gives way to mutual care, as they recreate their parents' rituals and gradually learn to trust each other. The hook is less about passion and more about shared vulnerability and collaboration under pressure.

🗂️ Bureaucracy

The plot humorously revels in red tape and administrative inertia, highlighting Italian procedural delays and miscommunication. Wendell's impatience clashes with local custom, turning simple tasks—like moving a coffin or arranging a burial—into comically protracted ordeals. The farce hinges on how bureaucracy shapes fate and force the lovers to improvise.

💰 Extortion

A ransom demand and blackmail complicate the couple's effort to honor their parents. The Trotta family's greed and Bruno's scheming intensify the tension, revealing a cynical underside to a seaside idyll. The betrayals propel the plot toward a twist ending that blends crime with reconciliation.