Even setting aside the classic example of Tarzan, it's kind of wild just how many movies have been made over the years about people growing up among animals, or cavemen brought to the present day, and so on. I don't think it's unreasonable to question how many such movies the world actually needs, though in fairness to filmmaker Pasquale Festa Campanile and writers Franco Ferrini and Enrico Oldoini, this is actually a really entertaining rendition of the concept. It's not that 'Bingo Bongo' is a raving success; some bits are allowed to linger too long, and others are just kind of flat in the first place. Still other bits take the core conceit of the humor - the incongruence of the title character, with his ignorance of the modern world, dropped in the middle of Milan - and stretch it too far, such as the moment he finds himself in a nightclub. I think an argument might also be made that this is troubled at times with regards to finding the right tone, and in some moments the plot development is overly simplified. Be all that as it may, any perceived shortcomings are well outweighed by the value it can claim. This is intended only as lighthearted fun that's (mostly) appropriate for all ages, and with that especially in mind, overall I think the end result is much better and more worthwhile than not. Overall, I think it's pretty great!
Though perhaps made to appear more glamorous here than is called for by the nature of the picture generally or of her supporting role specifically, it's always a pleasure to see Carole Bouquet, and she's as reliable and charming as ever. Adriano Celentano, starring as Bingo Bongo, ably navigates in his portrayal those spaces between the feral foundations, the underhanded wisdom and resourcefulness he illustrates in unfamiliar surroundings, and growing understanding. Though the use of animal actors is always a question of ethics, one must also commend Tanga, appearing here as "Renato," and Tanga's trainer, for the chimpanzee is a bonus delight in these 100 minutes. It speaks well of these three above all, but certainly others in the cast, too, that they so willingly and deftly embrace the silliness of the proceedings with an earnestness that helps it all to land and resonate. Of course the acting is necessarily informed by Campanile's direction, and while the quality is variable, far more than not he does a splendid job of balancing the needs of the storytelling with those of the humor, while broadly orchestrating shots and scenes with a welcome, casual finesse.
And by all means, hats off to Ferrini and Oldoini, for their screenplay is an unexpected joy, not to mention smarter than I was ready to give them credit for at first. The story is as enjoyable as it is surprisingly sincere, with some admirable themes on hand, and the dialogue and scene writing are wonderfully varied in swirling together both that quirky heartfelt honesty, and the more plainly ridiculous mirth that's sometimes altogether cartoonish. 'Bingo Bongo' treats us to an abundance of gags and situational humor, with some witty lines on top, and I found myself laughing a lot more than I would have ever supposed when I first stumbled onto this almost purely by chance. Mind you, I also think the second half is surely longer than it needs to be as the story is drawn out, but for as much of a good time that the viewing experience is all the way through, this and the film's other flaws or excesses ultimately seem quite minor. Factor in fun music, stunts, and effects, and otherwise excellent craftsmanship up to the standards of the 1980s, and when all is said and done I'm all so pleased with just how terrific this really is. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have mixed expectations, but the feature is both clever and funny, and surprisingly sharp in the bigger notions it aims to convey, and it proves itself rather quickly.
I wouldn't go so far as to say it's a must-see, but what I would say is that compared to any similar title that explores feral or animal-like people coming face to face with civilization, this might well be a cut above its kin. It's well made in every regard, illustrating skill and intelligence in its writing and direction above all, and I only wish other movies could be even half as entertaining as this turns out to be. Personal preferences will vary, and I guess a content warning should be noted for minor instances of nudity, but I think just about anyone could find much to like here, and I'd have no qualms recommending 'Bingo Bongo' to just about anyone. As far as I'm concerned, this is a blast, and well worth checking out!
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