A lavish, sweeping, and fascinating portrait of a time and a man
Eduardo Scarpetta was a major celebrity in early 20th century Naples. A beloved comedian and playwright, he developed the character Sciosciammocca and wrote countless plays in which he and his family appeared. He was hugely popular, incredibly wealthy, and also a difficult man who fathered umpteen children by various women, including his sister-in-law and his wife’s niece.
Director Mario Martone has clearly plunged into the project of making a bio-pic of this fascinating man, and extraordinary time in theatre. The King of Laughter delves into the last few years of Scarpetta’s career. His children are growing older and some are starting to rebel from being forced onto the stage. After seeing a production of Il Figlio di Iorio, a tragedy written by the greatest Italian poet of the day, Gabriele D’Annunzio, he decides to write a parody of it as his next show. Despite apparently gaining D’Annunzio’s verbal agreement to the parody, he is taken to court for plagiarism. This became a cause celebre, and the first ever trial on copyright in Italy.
Screenplay by Martone and his co-writer and wife Ippolita Di Majo moves from deep-dives into the theatre world, to domestic squabbles, to the courtroom, all the time maintaining Scarpetta’s strong character.
Starring as Scarpetta is one of Italy’s greatest living actors, Toni Servillo, who also appears in The Inner Cage in the Festival. He delivers a career-defining performance. Working alongside Servillo is an outstanding ensemble including Maria Nazionale as Rosa, Cristiana Dell’Anna as Luisa and eponymous namesake Eduardo Scarpetta as Vincenzo. Prolific actor Paolo Pierobon gives a brief, but deliciously mannered performance as D’Annunzio.
One of the things The King of Laughter does incredibly well is portray the theatre. Scenes from Scarpetta’s most famous plays, including Miseria e Nobiltà (Misery and Nobility) are allowed time to unfold, seen from both audience and backstage points-of-view. A gift to the art department, production designers Giancarlo Muselli and Carlo Rescigno deliver theatres, trains, fancy apartments, and courtrooms. Costume design by Ursula Patzak has already garnered well-deserved awards.
The King of Laughter is a slice of theatrical, legal, and Neapolitan history. It is a vehicle for Servillo’s breath-taking talents, as well as a magnificent ensemble piece. And all over it is Martone’s obvious love for his subject. It is also simply a fantastic piece of cinema.
The King of Laughter screens as part of the ST. ALi Italian Film Festival at Palace Nova Eastend and Prospect from September 21st to October 16th.
For further information and to book tickets, click here.
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