: Troisi suggests that "love" is often a label we give to something that is actually just a "calesse" (a buggy)—something that breaks down, requires maintenance, and isn't as grand as we imagine.
: The film is famous for the song "Senza Giacca e Cravatta" and the main theme "O' ssaje comme fa 'o core" , written by Troisi's close friend Pino Daniele . Pensavo_fosse_amore_invece_era_un_calesse_1991_...
(I Thought It Was Love, but It Was a Buggy) is the final film written, directed, and starring Massimo Troisi , released in 1991. It is a cynical yet poetic exploration of the impossibility of stable love between men and women, set against the backdrop of an evocative, everyday Naples. Plot Summary : Troisi suggests that "love" is often a
The story follows (Troisi) and Cecilia (Francesca Neri), a couple in Naples who are about to get married. However, their relationship is plagued by obsessive jealousy, boredom, and constant bickering. Cecilia, convinced Tommaso is unfaithful, calls off the wedding at the last minute and begins a rebound relationship with a man named Enea. Tommaso tries to win her back, even using "magic" potions, but once they reunite, they realize that while they love each other, they cannot coexist in a traditional marriage. The film ends with them meeting for coffee on what was supposed to be their wedding day, deciding to stay together but without the constraints of formal commitment. Core Themes It is a cynical yet poetic exploration of
: His acting is marked by the "philosophy of the shrug"—a hesitant, stuttering style that perfectly captures the modern man's confusion in the face of emotional complexity.
: Much of the conflict arises from the characters' own insecurities. Cecilia’s jealousy is presented as a "creative" force that feeds the relationship's drama.
"When we are in love, we think we've found something eternal, but it's just a buggy... a buggy that carries you for a while and then stops."