Screw Loose

Screw Loose

Year: 1999

Runtime: 85 mins

Language: English

Comedy

When the founder of an Italian natural‑food company suffers a heart attack, he urges his son Bernardo to locate the World War II veteran who saved his life and bring him to his bedside. Bernardo tracks the elderly hero to a quirky sanitarium, where a series of comic mishaps ensues as they journey back to Milan.

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Timeline & Setting – Screw Loose (1999)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Screw Loose (1999). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The events unfold primarily in contemporary times, peppered with a World War II flashback recounted by Guido Puccini. The hospital escapes and international chase sequences situate the film in a modern era, while the war anecdote provides a historical frame for the characters' motives. Overall, the timeline blends present-day travel with a memory of the mid-20th century.

Location

Italy, Los Angeles, Monte Carlo

The story moves between an Italian natural food company in Italy, a mental hospital in Los Angeles, and the glamorous locale of Monte Carlo. Key scenes unfold at an airport, a hotel, and various public spaces, highlighting a cross-continental farce. The settings deliberately mix corporate, medical, and resort environments to fuel the comedy of errors.

🌍 Global Settings ✈️ Travel 🗺️ Locations

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:10

Main Characters – Screw Loose (1999)

Meet the key characters of Screw Loose (1999), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jake Gordon

A former American soldier who saved Guido during World War II and now roams as a volatile, charismatic figure. In the present, his unpredictable behavior and clever misdirections drive much of the hijinks. His presence pushes Bernardo toward chaotic choices, even as he becomes an unlikely ally.

🤠 🌀 🎭

Bernardo Puccini

The son of Guido Puccini, he works as a food examiner and flavor developer. He is eager to prove himself and take over the business but ends up tangled in a farcical pursuit with Jake, confusing ethics with entertainment. His journey moves from reluctance to ambition, tempered by the chaos around him.

💼 🌀 🎭

Dr. Barbara Collier

A doctor who treats Jake in the mental hospital and later becomes involved with Bernardo. She balances professional boundaries with personal feelings, discovering a complicated dynamic that challenges her judgments. Her decisions ultimately shape the course of Jake’s fate and Bernardo’s future.

🧠 ❤️ 🎭

Guido Puccini

Bernardo’s hot-tempered father and the wealthy founder of the Italian company. He clings to traditional methods and resists change, yet his war memories reveal a deeply vulnerable side. His health and legacy drive the plot’s emotional stakes and the demand for Jake’s return.

💼 🧠 🎭

Sofia

Bernardo’s girlfriend who is planning plastic surgery and questions the wild mission to bring Jake to Italy. Her sharpness and confidence contrast with Bernardo’s indecision, highlighting the film’s themes of appearance versus reality. Her actions propel some of the film’s most tumultuous moments.

💄 ❤️ 🎭

Donna in aeroporto

A character encountered in the airport setting, contributing to the chaotic travel sequences. She adds to the bustling, transient atmosphere of the film’s international journey. Her presence underscores the recurring theme of chance encounters shaping outcomes.

🛫 🧭 🎭

Signora coi capelli bianchi

An elderly woman who appears in key scenes, embodying the film’s mix of farce and caricature. Her presence adds a touch of eccentricity to the social milieu surrounding Jake and Bernardo. She helps punctuate the movie’s playful tone.

👵 🌀 🎭

Dr. Caputo

An elderly doctor who treats Guido and appears in hospital scenes. He represents the medical authority characters cling to during the chaotic events. His interactions anchor some of the film’s more dramatic moments amid the comedy.

🩺 🧠 🎭

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:10

Major Themes – Screw Loose (1999)

Explore the central themes of Screw Loose (1999), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌀 Madness

The film toys with the line between sanity and chaos as Jake Gordon’s unpredictable behavior unsettles Bernardo and everyone around him. Jake’s delusions and practical jokes create a repetitive loop of trouble that drives the plot forward. The comedic chaos acts as a lens to explore how fear and excitement can blur reality.

💼 Power

Guido Puccini’s empire and his final wishes propel the central conflict, forcing Bernardo to navigate family loyalty and corporate succession. The struggle for control reveals how wealth and legacy shape decisions, sometimes at the expense of personal ethics. The evolving power dynamic also tests Bernardo’s ambitions against his father’s expectations.

❤️ Relationships

Romance and manipulation intertwine as Bernardo and Dr. Barbara Collier form a complicated bond amid chaos. The film uses affection, rivalry, and deception to examine how relationships can both stabilize and destabilize a person under pressure. Love becomes a catalyst for transformation, even as it complicates loyalties.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:10

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Screw Loose Summary

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Screw Loose Summary

Screw Loose Timeline

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Screw Loose Timeline

Screw Loose Spoiler-Free Summary

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Screw Loose Spoiler-Free Summary

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Screw Loose (1999) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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