Nothing Left to Do but Cry (1984)

A cornerstone of modern Italian comedy, *Nothing Left to Do but Cry* is a cult masterpiece that belongs on any list of Roberto Benigni's best work primarily for its legendary central partnership. The film's brilliantly simple premise—a janitor (Benigni) and a teacher (the equally iconic Massimo Troisi) are inexplicably transported to the year 1492—serves as the perfect stage for one of cinema's great comedic duos. The movie thrives on the explosive chemistry between Benigni's Tuscan tornado of slapstick energy and Troisi's wry, melancholic Neapolitan wit. Their fish-out-of-water journey, from attempting to stop Columbus to interacting with Leonardo da Vinci, is a masterclass in contrasting comedic styles that mesh together to create something truly magical and unforgettable. This film is a definitive showcase of Benigni's raw, untamed comedic genius before he became an international icon. As the manic instigator Saverio, he is an irrepressible force of nature, his mind racing with anachronistic schemes and his body contorting with virtuosic physical comedy. This role captures the very essence of the early Benigni persona: wildly inventive, playfully subversive, and endlessly charming. While *Life Is Beautiful* would later reveal his profound dramatic depth, *Nothing Left to Do but Cry* is a foundational text that displays his comedic powers at their absolute peak, establishing the pure, unadulterated hilarity that first made him a national treasure.