Avanti!

Play trailer

Avanti!

R

1972

2h 24m

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

79%

Tomatometer

24 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Based on the play by Samuel Taylor, this comedy finds Wendell Armbruster Jr. journeying to the Italian island of Ischia to claim the body of his millionaire father, who died while on vacation there. As the dutiful son uncovers more about his dad's death, revelations are made, leading to Wendell's involvement with British beauty Pamela Piggott. Their budding romance, however, is hindered by a number of odd events that sorely test it.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Romola Costantino

Sydney Morning Herald

Jun 9, 2022

This just has to be one of the best comedy films of this year.

Go to Full Review

Martha DuBose

Sydney Morning Herald

Jun 9, 2022

It is basically a failed film because it is Wilder diluted to cater to an age which, ironically, is best equipped to appreciate the Wilder of old.

Go to Full Review

Tony Rayns

Sight & Sound

Mar 20, 2020

The audience is literally distanced from the action while at the same time encouraged to identify with it, which gives the whole exposition an almost diagrammatic quality.

Go to Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Apr 26, 2025

[Director Billy] Wilder takes his time with the pacing and the result is a classic romantic comedy of the modern American world colliding with the provincial Italian way of life ...

Go to Full Review

Elissa Suh

Moviepudding (Substack)

Aug 21, 2023

Confidently languorous in pacing, it is not unlike the stride of an Italian afternoon, which hinges on a punctuated and generous lunch hour.

Go to Full Review

Adrian Turner

Radio Times

Mar 20, 2020

4/5

This is a sublime romantic comedy that spins on one of Wilder's favourite themes: the confrontation between the brashness of America, where he worked, and the sophistication of Europe, where he was born.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Robert P

@Superbad Sep 14, 2026

Avanti = a *4* star Movie!

See more

bruce F

@bruce999 Aug 4, 2026

if you can get by jack lemmons bad behavior, the movie gets better, the more times you watch it. its worth watching.

See more

alan g

@agenser Jun 24, 2025

Slick comedy about adultery.

See more

Alain E

@AlainE May 25, 2025

Entertaining romantic comedy where the adult children of an adulterous couple decide to continue the tradition for one more generation. The action happens in Italy so there is some use of cultural stereotypes as well.

See more

John L

@view2views Apr 6, 2025

This film is far too long.....I love it for that!......

See more

Lanfranco C

@Lanfrancobz Dec 20, 2023

A sparkling movie that exaggerates the character of the Italian People, but it is anyway funny and intelligent.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Billy Wilder

Director

Jack Lemmon

Wendell Armbruster, Jr.

Juliet Mills

Pamela Piggott

Clive Revill

Carlo Carlucci

Edward Andrews

J.J. Blodgett

Gianfranco Barra

Bruno

O Lucky Man!

82%

87%

O Lucky Man!

Watchlist

Gaily, Gaily

50%

%

Gaily, Gaily

Watchlist

Where's Poppa?

82%

69%

Where's Poppa?

Watchlist

Shampoo

75%

55%

Shampoo

Watchlist

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask)

88%

69%

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask)

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Based on the play by Samuel Taylor, this comedy finds Wendell Armbruster Jr. journeying to the Italian island of Ischia to claim the body of his millionaire father, who died while on vacation there. As the dutiful son uncovers more about his dad's death, revelations are made, leading to Wendell's involvement with British beauty Pamela Piggott. Their budding romance, however, is hindered by a number of odd events that sorely test it.

Director: Billy Wilder
Producer: Billy Wilder
Screenwriter: Billy Wilder, I.A.L. Diamond
Production Co: Produzioni Europee Associate, Jalem Productions, The Mirisch Corporation [us], Phalanx Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 17, 1972, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 2h 24m

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings