An American in Rome

"[3] Sordi reprises the character of Nando Mericoni he played a few months before in an episode of comedy film Un giorno in pretura.

Believing his future lies beyond the Atlantic, Nando who is born and raised in Rome, americanizes his life by imitating the sounds of American language and trying to recreate a Hollywood setting in his room, in his antics which leave a trail of victims, especially his now desperate parents, and his girlfriend Elvira (Maria Pia Casilio), who, probably allured by his manner, loves him despite everything.

Nando wears a studded leather bracelet, a cowboy belt, a tight white t-shirt, jeans and baseball cap, refers to his loved ones in what he considers American terms (Elvy, papi, mami) but also lives out everyday situations as though they were scenes in an American film in which he is the main actor.

After several misadventures, he finds his only recourse suggested by a famous film of the time, Fourteen Hours by Henry Hathaway, then he climbs the Colosseum and threatens to kill himself if someone will not help him get to the United States.

Nando, hospitalized, recognizes the hopelessness of his dreams and desires, but in his heart he will still remain an irreducible American in Rome.

Alberto Sordi in the movie