The film is a sentimental comedy: two men compete for the protagonist Kitty (Francesca Bertini): Lieutenant Pietro (Emilio Ghione) and the younger Alberto (Collo). (…) Ghione’s character represents a military stereotype: a man all of a piece who conducts human relation- ships, even amorous, with scant charm. To court a woman by means of speed – the moral of the film – is counterproductive, while the rival’s simulation of a failure bears its fruits. Ghione plays a true car­icature; he is dressed in uniform with kepi, moustaches, monocle, swagger-stick and boots; when he drives in his automobile he uses another uniform, consisting of goggles, beret and overcoat. His char­acter is assertively heavy and out of place, and his thin and slender figure makes him seem alien and disagreeable, above all when con- fronted by the more charming figure of Collo. His acting is involving and easy and stands out from the work of the other actors; he works hard to remain in the role, attracts attention through clearly being a comic among lovers. Negroni’s direction uses big visuals – he is almost a landscapist – but is deliberately impersonal; the film is tinted in warm colours, particularly for the exteriors.

Denis Liotti