At first I was all ready to hate this film because it starts out with two nihilistic Roman youths getting all arsey about life and taking it out on everyone in a barrage of rape and murder, but then it kind of drops all that and becomes a hostage drama, redeeming itself in the process. Kind of.
Paolo is the strong, fearless part of the duo who control the unstable Giovanni. They both meet at a boring party where Giovanni has just failed to get a woody with his girlfriend and Paolo has been turfed out for trying to bed the house-owner's daughter. For some reason they get it into their heads that they aren't taking any crap from anyone any more, and start off proving how brave they are by house-invading Giovanni's girlfriend's house, raping her (off-screen thankfully), and accidentally killing her neighbour.
Once they find that they are wanted men, Giovanni wants to bail on the whole deal but Paolo talks him into one last heist in order to get cash to escape abroad. None of that makes much sense but judging by the way Giovanni starts hopping about like a kangaroo I'm guessing neither of them are particularly smart The two of them then assault a couple of hippies (in 1977? What's going on there?), get some guns, and finally get to a restaurant where they hold everyone hostage and demand a ransom.
From here on in it's Dog Day Afternoon, Italian style as we get to meet the various hostages, including a young lady who shows no fear whatsoever with the two robbers whatsoever, a young man who might regretting being too brave, and a pregnant Ely Galleani. Various drama unfolds while the police try and negotiate with the two youngsters.
Some people like it, some people don't. I'm in the middle. I like more action in my films and less woman threatening. I suppose it was saying something about something, but...etc.
