Avanti!

Right now you can watch Avanti! In Australia on Amazon Prime Video, and in the US on Amazon Prime Video and fuboTV — and it is funnier than its reputation suggests. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. 268 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Jack Lemmon sets the tone, and the rest of the cast matches it scene for scene. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Amazon Prime Video.

Avanti! Is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate Avanti! From the crowd. A successful businessman travels to Italy to arrange for the return of his tycoon father's body, only to learn that dear old dad died with his longtime mistress. Jack Lemmon and Juliet Mills lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1972. The timing in Avanti! Is precise enough that even the throwaway lines land on a second watch. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

If you need a comedy that actually makes you laugh, Avanti! Is a strong candidate. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Jack Lemmon is funny in a way that holds up on rewatch. Put it on when you need something guaranteed to land.