Toto, Peppino, and the Hussy - Characters & Cast

His primary motivation is to protect his nephew, Gianni, and uphold the Caponi family honor, which he believes has been tarnished by Gianni's association with a "malafemmina." He acts out of a deep, if misguided, sense of patriarchal duty.

Antonio begins as the self-proclaimed worldly-wise leader of the expedition, confidently dispensing terrible advice and leading his brother into absurd situations. He is spendthrift and often tricks money out of his stingy brother. His arc is one of gradual humbling. Through his interactions in Milan and his eventual meeting with Marisa, his rigid, prejudiced worldview softens, and he learns to see beyond his own narrow assumptions, ultimately giving his blessing to the young couple.

Peppino is motivated by a combination of fear of his brother, a genuine concern for his nephew, and an obsessive desire to protect his money from Antonio's spendthrift habits.

Peppino starts as the timid, stingy, and constantly put-upon younger brother, dominated by Antonio's stronger personality. While he follows Antonio's lead, he is often more fearful and skeptical. His arc involves finding a small measure of courage to question Antonio, though he remains the quintessential comedic sidekick. His transformation is less pronounced than Antonio's, but he too comes to accept Marisa, his fears assuaged by his brother's change of heart and his sister's final judgment.

Her motivation is simple and pure: her love for Gianni. She endures the bizarre and insulting behavior of his uncles because of her commitment to him, hoping to eventually win over his family.

Marisa is initially presented through the prejudiced eyes of the Caponi family as a seductive, morally questionable showgirl. Her arc is about revealing her true nature. She proves herself to be a sincere, loving, and respectable woman who is genuinely in love with Gianni. She transitions from the titular "hussy" to a beloved future member of the family, leaving her career behind to marry Gianni and move to their village.

His motivation is his unwavering love for Marisa and his desire to make his family understand that she is a good person, worthy of their respect and acceptance.

Gianni is the catalyst for the plot. He starts as a dutiful student who falls head-over-heels in love. His arc is about standing up for his love against his family's prejudices. He never wavers in his devotion to Marisa. The climax of his arc is when he performs the song "Malafemmena" for Marisa, a song written by Totò himself, which helps convince his family of the sincerity and depth of their love.