ReelBob: ‘Inheritance, Italian Style’ ★½

By Bob Bloom

“Inheritance, Italian Style” is a comedy that is supposed to verge on farce. Yet, it lumbers like a 100-car freight train. It lacks the sharp timing needed to garner laughs.

And what is supposed to pass for humor is actually not that funny.

The movie, which was filmed in 2014, shows its low-budget limitations. Though supposedly set in Sicily, the movie was shot in Atlanta.

Those in the cast who supposedly live in Italy, most notably Parlazzi family matriarch, Mallatta (Dawn Campion), fails to maintain her accent with her dialect, at times, sounding like Joe Kirk’s Mr. Bacciagalupe from the 1950s’ “Abbott and Costello” TV show.

Mallatta’s five daughters reunite at the family home to divide up the furniture and paintings.

The characters are all types, defined by their foibles and relationships with their men.

Even though the movie is a mere 96 minutes, it feels much longer. Writer-director Doug Bremner needed to accelerate the pacing to really make the movie gel.

You feel, at times, as if you are slogging through a bad TV pilot than watching a feature film.

From the outset, you realize this is a dysfunctional family. Most of Mallatta’s daughters are unpleasant and off-putting, and you really can’t connect with them.

Being a so-called farce, the movie includes family secrets, infidelities and a bit of a mystery.

The acting is basic, as is the camera work that seems to consist mostly of master and two-shots. The entire affair feels like a student film submitted to a festival for approval.

And James Stone’s pseudo-Italian-influenced score doesn’t help any. His jingling music distracts more than helping propel the narrative.

I am a founding member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. I review movies, 4K UHD, Blu-rays and DVDs for ReelBob (ReelBob.com), The Film Yap substack and other print and online publications. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com. You also can follow me on Twitter @ReelBobBloom and on Facebook at ReelBob.com or the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My movie reviews also can be found at Rotten Tomatoes: www.rottentomatoes.com.

INHERITANCE, ITALIAN STYLE
1½ stars out of 4
Not rated, sexual situations, brief nudity, language