La locandiera: A Witty Old Comedy That Still Charms

So, 'La locandiera,' eh? If you're someone who appreciates a good old-fashioned play brought to the screen, especially from a time when film was still figuring out how to do that, then yeah, this 1944 Italian gem might be worth a look. It’s definitely not for folks who need fast edits or big explosions.

Think more along the lines of a charming, talky stage production with cameras involved. If you've got a soft spot for classic comedies of manners, you’ll probably find yourself smiling. Otherwise, it might just feel a bit... slow.

Lucia Zanussi plays Mirandolina, the innkeeper, and she's really the whole show here. She runs her place, she’s smart, and every single man who walks through her door just falls head over heels.

It’s a classic setup, really. You’ve got the rich, proud Marquis, the Baron always complaining about money, and then the rather intense Count. All of them vying for her attention, it's pretty funny to watch. 😂

One of my favorite bits is when the Marquis, played by Carlo Gualandri, is trying so hard to keep up appearances. He's broke, you know, but he won't admit it for a second. He's always talking about his 'generosity' when he can barely pay for his soup.

Mirandolina sees right through him, of course, but she plays along just enough to keep him hooked. It’s a delicate dance she does.

And then there's the Chevalier, who just *hates* women. Like, utterly despises them. He thinks they're all about money and manipulation.

So, naturally, Mirandolina takes it as a challenge. You can just see the wheels turning in her head the moment he starts spouting off. She's got this glint in her eye, like, 'Oh, you think so, do you?'

And then she just *goes* for it. It's less about genuine romance and more about proving a point, which is kinda great.

The whole thing feels very much like a recorded play. Lots of long takes, people coming and going from a few main sets. The dialogue is sharp, as you'd expect from Carlo Goldoni's original work.

Sometimes a character will launch into a speech, and you can just picture them on a stage, projecting to the back row. It’s got that theatrical energy.

There’s a scene where Mirandolina is 'attending' to the Chevalier, bringing him food and wine, just being *extra* attentive. She’s not doing anything overtly flirty, but the way she moves, the way she holds his gaze for just a beat too long... *chef's kiss*.

He’s trying to resist, but you can see him crumbling. It's *subtle* in a very unsubtle way, if that makes sense. It's all in the tiny gestures.

The side characters, like Fabrizio, the inn's waiter who loves Mirandolina, are mostly there to react to the main drama. He’s often just lurking in the background, looking heartbroken, which is a nice touch. You feel for the guy, even though you know he doesn't stand a chance against the big shots.

I remember thinking, watching this, how much things have changed, and also how much they haven't. People falling for charm, trying to impress, pretending to be something they're not... that's just evergreen, isn't it?

But the way they *