Fracchia la belve umana, not to be confused with the abysmal "Fracchia contro Dracula", is a very good example of Italian comedy. The story line (usually the weakest point in this sort of movies) is somewhat interesting, the acting spot-on and so is the gags' timing.Villaggio is at his best in the dual role of Fracchia/the belva.Fracchia is a toned down Fantozzi, so not such an effort from the man that invented that hilarious character, but the belva is a very different thing.Villaggio manages to portray the belva in a very nasty sort of way.The Genoan actor uses his old stand-up comedy ability (Villaggio used to be very famous in 70's Italian TV for inventing a character called Dr. Franz: a nasty nazi-type of tv presenter that attacks his audience!)to create a very belivable Belva.Then, of course, there is the genius himself, Lino Banfi.Banfi plays the Police inspector that is after the Belva. As usual Banfi is as funny as one can get and his Commissario is the proof,if one was needed, of how this comedy master can make the audience laugh to tears.The scene where the inspector gets his leg pulled (to put it mildly) by a singing waiter,only to reveal his Police badge and get his own back from the rude servant, is side splitting. The movie is funny, entertaining, even bitter in the nasty ending.A sure fire hit with any fan of classic Italian comedy
Review of Fracchia la belva umana
