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.

Screw Loose (1999) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

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In the bustling heart of Milan, a venerable family‑run natural‑food company stands as a symbol of tradition and ambition. Its founder, Guido, commands the business with an iron will, while his son, Bernardo, arrives eager to prove himself amid simmering generational tension. The company’s sleek laboratories clash with Guido’s old‑school insistence on control, setting the stage for a delicate balance between innovation and legacy that defines the film’s playful yet earnest atmosphere.

When Guido suffers a sudden heart attack, his mind drifts to a wartime memory that has haunted him for decades: a daring rescue by a World II veteran who once saved his life. With his health hanging in the balance, Guido issues a single, urgent request—to locate the aging hero and bring him back to his bedside. This moment thrusts Bernardo into a quest that feels both personal and absurd, forcing him to confront the weight of his father’s expectations while navigating the far‑crazier realities of his own world.

The journey leads Bernardo to a quirky sanitarium perched far from the polished corridors of the corporate headquarters. There, eccentric patients and off‑beat staff create a backdrop of comic mishaps that contrast sharply with the seriousness of his mission. The film leans into a breezy, farcical tone, blending slapstick moments with heartfelt curiosity as the son negotiates the idiosyncrasies of the institution and the enigmatic veteran who dwells within it.

Amid the chaos, the story explores themes of duty, memory, and the uneasy handoff of power from one generation to the next. The vibrant Italian setting, the warm‑hearted humor, and the tug of familial obligation all combine to promise a light‑hearted adventure that asks whether a son can honor a father’s dying wish without losing himself in the process.

Last Updated: October 27, 2025 at 16:31

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Madcap International Escapades like in Screw Loose

Farcical journeys where mismatched partners bumble their way across continents.If you loved the chaotic cross-continental journey and farcical humor of Screw Loose, you'll enjoy these movies. Discover other comedies featuring mismatched duos on a mission, filled with absurd mishaps, quirky characters, and lighthearted international adventures. Find movies like Screw Loose that capture a similar sense of madcap, globetrotting fun.

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Stories in this thread typically begin with a simple, often urgent, objective that immediately spirals out of control. The plot is propelled by a series of comedic misunderstandings, chases, and eccentric encounters, forcing the protagonist(s) to navigate a world that seems determined to throw absurd obstacles in their path. The journey is paramount, leading to personal growth or unexpected alliances by the end.

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Quirky Sanitarium Stories like in Screw Loose

Comedies set in eccentric institutions where chaos and connection blossom.If you enjoyed the quirky sanitarium setting and its eccentric characters in Screw Loose, explore these similar movies. Find comedies and light dramas set in unique institutions like mental hospitals or retirement homes, where outsiders find connection and chaos. Discover films with a similar lighthearted, whimsical tone and stories of unlikely friendships akin to Screw Loose.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives often follow an orderly protagonist—or a visitor from the 'normal' world—entering a whimsical, rule-bending microcosm. The plot unfolds through their interactions with the residents, which challenge their preconceptions and often lead to a series of comic set pieces, an escape, or a quest that reaffirms the value of individuality and community.

Why These Movies?

This thread connects movies through their shared setting of a quirky institution that serves as a catalyst for comedy and character growth. They balance a lighthearted, sometimes whimsical, tone with themes of mental health or non-conformity, treating the setting and its inhabitants with affectionate humor rather than heavy drama.

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