6.5/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.5/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. It Was I remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you're into vintage Italian comedy and have a soft spot for domestic bickering, sure. But if you need a fast-paced plot or something that doesn't feel like a stage play taped to a wall, maybe skip it. People who get annoyed by loud, overbearing characters will probably hate the wife's energy in this one.
So, the setup is simple. A guy is out of work and crashes with his brother. It feels like a bad dream where you never quite get to unpack your suitcase. The tension between the brother and his wife is so thick you could cut it with a butter knife. Honestly, I spent half the time wondering why he didn't just find a cheap motel.
There's this one scene in the kitchen where everyone is talking over each other, and the camera just sits there, watching them lose their minds. It felt like watching a family holiday dinner go sideways. It went on for way too long, but in a way, that made it kind of funny. You can tell they were trying to capture that specific chaos of living with people you don't really want to be around.
The pacing is a bit of a mess. It stops and starts like a clunky car. Sometimes I felt like the movie forgot where it was going, or maybe it just didn't care. It’s got that classic, slightly dusty vibe that reminds me a little bit of the energy you see in You're Darn Tootin'—just people bumping into problems they made for themselves.
Is it a masterpiece? No way. It feels like a project everyone showed up to, did their lines, and then went home to have dinner. But there’s a charm to that. It doesn't try to be profound. It just wants to show you a guy having a really, really bad time living with his relatives. 🙄
Sometimes you don't need a heavy plot. You just need to see someone else’s living room turn into a disaster zone so you feel better about your own house. It’s not great, but it’s definitely something you can watch while folding laundry. Don't expect to remember the ending, though. I barely do.
