Abstract
The essay examines the works of Aldo, Giovanni and Giacomo, one of the most popular comic trios in contemporary Italy. After a brilliant career spent between theater and television, in 1997 the three comedians made their first feature film, Tre uomini e una gamba, and were immediately blessed with huge commercial success. The film was followed by five more equally successful productions: Così è la vita (1998), Chiedimi se sono felice, (2000), La leggenda di Al, Jack e John, (2002), Tu la conosci Claudia? (2004), and Anplagghed al cinema (2006). Although I make several references to these films, my essay focuses in particular on Chiedimi se sono felice and Anplagghed al cinema. In these works the dialogue/relationship between theater and cinema — the main theme of my study — is evident. The article also explores other essential aspects of the art of Aldo, Giovanni and Giacomo, such as the contrast between fiction and reality, the self-referential dimension of their films, and the postmodern reinvention of Italian comedy.
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