Trying to create an old fashioned family drama styled comedy is not an easy thing to do without walking down an overtly cheesy, superficial route but thankfully Inheritance, Italian Style manages to keep those qualities down to the minimum. The style feels like the antics of 70s or 80s cinema, it mixes tongue-in-cheek, euphemism and a silly edge. It’s a style that often trips up its filmmakers by not feeling self-aware of the ridiculous and melodramatic nature of their story but Bremner does feel conscious of that. It falls right into the argumentative and flawed nature of family, creating drama and misadventures. The dialogue can feel somewhat clumsy or wooden at times but it’s such a motley crew of characters, that it holds a certain charm which keeps you plugged in…. Inheritance, Italian Style takes its stylings from comedy of the past, leaning into a 70s or 80s style and letting itself revel in some silly family antics. It’s melodramatic but still manages to create a persuasive charm with its ragtag characters. It feels aware of the fact that it has a fairly ridiculous nature but stops itself from ever going too far, to make sure that it holds your attention. It may not work for everyone but if you’re looking for a carefree, light-hearted comedy, then you’ve found the right film.
