Natale a Rio

Natale a Rio Christmas in Rio is a 2008 Italian cinepanettone directed by Neri Parenti with Christian De Sica. In Italy this film has grossed 24.678.792 . This is the third film starring De Sica without mate Massimo Boldi, his shoulder of honor in these films that make up the saga of Italian cinepanettoni. In fact, in 2006 they were separated in film roles following a dispute.

From 1983 until 2011 in Italy were released every year around Christmas time a series of comedies, known as cinepanettoni comedy film released at Christmas time. These films are focused on holidays taken by stereotypical middleclass Italians bungling, enriched and presumptuous, who travel to countries regarded as famous and stylish. The settings include India Christmas in India Natale in India, 2003, Egypt Christmas in Egypt Natale sul Nilo, 2002, America Christmas in New York 2006, or Christmas in Miami 2005, Cortina dAmpezzo Christmas holidays in Cortina Vacanze di Natale a Cortina, 2011 or the Netherlands Merry Christmas, 2001. Many of the plots are unrelated to the Christmas season, except for movies set in Italy. The protagonists almost always played by Massimo Boldi and Christian De Sica, joined by other comic couples Sabrina Ferilli, Danny DeVito, Ricky Memphis, Biagio Izzo, Alberto Sordi, Claudio Bisio, Alessandro Gassman, Michelle Hunziker, Luke Perry, Ezio Greggio, find themselves struggling on their holidays with various messes that develop while they are abroad. Their children often prove to be the only ones capable of resolving the complicated situations created by their parents, who invariably get involved in intrigues with underworld stories of betrayal and love. Italian critics have often considered these films of little ethical or educational value, as they contain large amounts of scurrilous and vulgar phrases, and the characters provide a bad example to young viewers. It often happened that De Sica and Boldi, mature and elderly people, were considered too dominant in the screenplay, preventing young people performing to their full potential. Criticswho? have also said that this line of films, including the authors, actors and directors, represents and emphasizes the era and the power of Silvio Berlusconi.

Source: Wikipedia