I have seen this movie several times and each time with delight, though I recognized its flaws in the script and technicalities. But this movie is a must see for every Romanian, due to its great cast and first of all to the lead actor Amza Pellea, one of the best Romanian actors ever. He was equally great in dramas and in comedies, playing heroes from the history, tough dramatic characters, or droll peasants like in this one. The main problem with this film is that it would be hardly understandable for non-Romanian viewers. You have to be familiar with some Romanian realities, especially from the country and the Communist era, and with the formidable TV stand up comedy character ("nea Marin", uncle Marin) around whom the parody plot is built up and who was created by the same Amza Pellea. If one translated the dialogs and dubbed the voice of "nea Marin", all the charm and fun would be gone. And here's a somewhat sentimental component: part of my family originated from the same southern region of Romania, and I laugh each time at the humor and peasant's common sense of that character, very similar to my father's and my uncle's. "Nea Marin" lives!
Plot summary
At a swanky hotel in a Black Sea resort, Gogu, one of the hotel employees, meets his uncle Marin, an Oltenian peasant who has come to visit. Gogu says he can sneak Marin into the hotel, as one of the rooms is empty awaiting the arrival of an American billionaire, Mr. Juvett. Marin is amazed by the revealing clothing worn by women at the resort, while the hotel guests are fascinated by his quaint peasant costume. In the hotel room, Marin is perplexed by the various gadgets. Meanwhile, the gangsters learn that Juvett has arrived at the hotel. Juvett is the father of the kidnapped girl, and is coming to pass over a million dollar ransom. A rival gang, who know about the kidnapping, plan to take the ransom for themselves. They follow Marin, believing him to be Juvett.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
October 24, 2023 at 09:05 PM
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A great actor and character carries this film
One briefcase full of money = lots a problems !!!
When I saw this movie the very 1st time, I was 15 or 16 years old. I absolutely loved it. A lots of very good romanian actors, for that time, were playing in this movie which by the way was directed by one of the best at the time: Sergiu Nicolaescu.
The story line it is very easy to follow: Bad guys kidnap the daughter of Mr. Juvett in Romania, and they are asking for a briefacse full of US Dollars, in exchange. Everything goes as planned until Uncle Marin shows up at the same hotel where Mr. Juvett is. To complicate matter, he has a similar briefcase except his is filled with bread, beacon and green onions. It doesn't take you long to realize what follows: the two identical looking briefcases are switching owners at a very fast rate and at one point even you will loose track whom has the money or whom has the bacon. The same can be said about the carachters since the Mr. Juvett and Uncle Marin are played by the same actor - Amza Pellea.
The bad guys never seem to get the right combination: they demand the money from Uncle Marin who doesn't have a clue about what is going on and that sometimes he has the money without his knowledge - and other times they finally have the right person with the right briefcase - but with the wrong content.
Yes, this is one of those classic "mix-up" that finally clears up at the end of the movie. Lots a laughs, lots a fun.... it is worth watching it. I just wish I could get this movie on DVD or VHS for North American standards
9 out of 10
THE BEST COMEDY EVER !!!(too bad it's only in romanian version )
Wou when i saw this movies i completly forgot about the time !!! Rare thing for me !!! i laughed so hard i almost fell from the chair i was sitting . when the movie finished , my jaws heart , same as my tummy from all the laughing ... i rate it as the BEST COMEDY EVER