Nothing Left to Do But Cry

Nothing Left to Do But Cry (Non ci resta che piangere) follows the misadventures of Saverio (Roberto Benigni), a high-strung intellectual teacher, and Mario (Massimo Troisi), a shy and romantic school janitor. While driving through the Tuscan countryside, they get stuck at a railroad crossing and seek shelter from a storm in an old inn. Upon waking, they discover they have been mysteriously transported back in time to the year 1492, specifically to the fictional village of Frittole.

Trapped in the 15th century, the duo struggles to adapt to the era's customs, hygiene, and dangers. While Mario focuses on wooing a local girl named Pia, Saverio becomes obsessed with the political implications of the year 1492. He convinces a reluctant Mario to travel to Spain to stop Christopher Columbus from discovering America, hoping to spare his sister from a future heartbreak caused by an American lover. Their journey is filled with absurd encounters, including a meeting with Leonardo da Vinci and a run-in with the austere preacher Savonarola.

At its heart, the film is a celebration of improvisation and friendship. It deconstructs the solemnity of history by viewing it through the eyes of two confused, neurotic 20th-century Italians who are utterly ill-equipped to be heroes. The film suggests that modern knowledge is useless without practical application and that destiny is a force that cannot easily be rewritten, no matter how hard one tries to intervene.

Some critics view the film as a metaphor for the political stagnation of Italy in the 80s: two men trapped in an immutable past, unable to move forward or effect change despite their knowledge. The ending, where Leonardo invents the locomotive but they remain stuck, can be seen as a commentary on how technological progress does not necessarily equate to social escape or personal freedom. Additionally, the ambiguity of how they time-traveled suggests the entire experience might be a shared purgatorial dream or a fable about the timeless nature of the Italian character.

Nothing Left to Do But Cry holds a legendary status in Italy, comparable to Monty Python films in the UK. Released during a golden era of Italian comedy, it solidified Benigni and Troisi as cultural icons. The film's lines (especially 'Un fiorino!') have entered the daily Italian lexicon. It represents a shift from the politically charged 'Commedia all'italiana' of the 70s to a more surreal, personal, and whimsical style of comedy. While less famous internationally than Life is Beautiful or Il Postino, it remains a beloved touchstone for Italian millennials and Gen X.

The film is universally adored in Italy, holding a high score on local review sites. Audiences praise the chemistry between Benigni and Troisi, citing it as a 'perfect storm' of comedic talent. The 'Customs Scene' and the 'Letter Scene' are frequently cited as some of the funniest moments in Italian cinema history. Criticism is rare but usually focuses on the thin plot and the somewhat abrupt, nonsensical ending, though fans argue this chaotic structure is part of its charm.