petra_ste An underrated, bittersweet Commedia all'Italiana, Café Express follows a night and a morning in the life of Michele Abbagnano (Nino Manfredi), who abusively sells coffee on trains pursued by both conductors and a couple of criminals he has defied.Few Italian actors could show both the ridiculous and serious side of a character like Manfredi, who gives here one of his finest performances: he is funny, endearing, pitiable, and yet shows a darker streak, the desperation of a man who has been disappointed by life one time too many - he has a moment of bitter rage near the end which is unsettling and almost painful to watch.The whole fauna of passengers and conductors gets a colorful, sympathetic portrayal in this picaresque comedy.8,5/10

pnapo2 Manfredi stars in this top-notch Italian comedy about a charming flim-flam man's attempts to aid his ailing son, outwitting the dim-witted police in the process. A lovable, compassionate portrait by Italy's most inventive comedy director, Nanni Loy.My vote: 9/10