Either one of the darkest comedies ever or a rather bleak character study.

The summary already spoilers the twist that happens over half way through the film, but I'll still say that this has one of the most unexpected and drastic changes in tone that I've seen. It starts like a situational commedia all'italiana, but turns into an extremely bleak moral meditation that I wouldn't have expected from Mario Monicelli. It is a strange but good film. Sordi is his usual goodness but Shelley Winters is mindblowing in a challenging supporting role.