Il Mattatore (1960)

A struggling actor (Vittorio Gassman) is lured into participating in a scam by an experienced con man (Mario Carotenuto) but it turns out the con man just wanted him as the fall guy. After several months in prison, he's back on the streets but this time, he's nobody's fool. Directed by Dino Risi (IL SORPASSO). Movies about con artists scamming people are a mixed bag for me. This one is a comedy. Are we to have any empathy for a fool and his money that are soon parted? Are we supposed to take pleasure in the owner of a jewelry store getting ripped off? Well, it's not happening to us so I suppose we're allowed to admire the clever way criminals commit their crimes. After all, they're not killing people, they're just thieves! I won't be a hypocrite, I've enjoyed a good heist movie or two (or 3 or 4) but I didn't find much fun here. When the film's hero exploits even those who love him, the film loses me. Entertaining but I wanted a shower when the movie was over. With Dorian Gray, Anna Maria Ferrero and Peppino De Filippo.