Sunday, March 11, 2012

Cat and Dog

Cane e gatto; comedy, Italy/ USA, 1982; D: Bruno Corbucci, S: Bud Spencer, Tomás Milián, Marc Lawrence

Florida. Alan Parker is an undercover police officer - his family thinks he is only an ordinary washing machine salesman. In his newest assignment, he arrests the evasive Tony, a gigolo who robs jewels from wealthy ladies. However, just as he hands him over to the police, Tony escapes and thus Parker has to capture him again. When Tony witnesses a mafia murder by mobster Salvatore, Parker helps him in apprehending the gangsters. Then he forces Tony to marry his sister-in-law, Deborah, since he seduced her.

A witless forerunner to "Midnight Run", "Cat and Dog" was made in the weaker phase of Bud Spencer's career, when the writers and directors made less and less effort to construct an interesting film around him, which is why the thin storyline about a cop who escorts a criminal - relies only on his persona - even though he is undoubtedly a charismatic comedian, his charm is lonely in this empty vehicle. There is simply not much to see here, in this lax roadmovie where sometimes it takes up to 30 minutes for a new, good joke to show up, which is too little to carry it. The opening joke involving a persistent vacuum cleaner salesman offers a neat little twist, but instead of taking it from there, the movie just leaves it and seems to suffice itself just with pretty landscapes. A lost opportunity. However, the "transparent" car, made out of glass, is an interesting creation whereas the opening musical theme, "Cat & Dog" by Carmelo & Michelangelo La Bionda, is surprisingly catchy and engaging, a small jewel - you may just catch yourself listening it again and again for its sheer harmony.

Grade:+

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