Buen Camino”: Checco Zalone and the Italian comedy that laughs, then makes you think

Photo credit: Sky TG24

Buen Camino is not just another comedy. It is a film that starts with laughter and slowly turns into a mirror, reflecting habits, contradictions, and weaknesses of contemporary Italian society. Checco Zalone once again chooses humor as his main language, but behind jokes and deliberately simple dialogue, he builds a surprisingly sharp social portrait.

Zalone’s cinema has always worked on two levels. On the surface, it entertains a broad audience with accessible humor and familiar situations. Beneath that surface, however, it raises uncomfortable questions about values, relationships, and identity. Buen Camino follows this tradition, using the journey as both a narrative structure and a metaphor for personal and collective change.

At the heart of the film lies a strong generation gap. Parents are portrayed as people who spent their lives working to build security and stability, while children grow up in a world where comfort is taken for granted and effort becomes invisible.

The film also explores family relationships reduced to economic transactions. Money replaces listening, gifts replace presence, and affection is outsourced to convenience. Through comedy, Zalone exposes a painful truth that resonates far beyond Italy.

The turning point arrives through loss and discomfort. When certainties collapse, characters rediscover vulnerability and authenticity. The Camino becomes a metaphor: real change happens step by step, not through shortcuts.

What does “cinepanettone” really mean?

The cinepanettone is the traditional Italian Christmas comedy, often associated with light entertainment and exaggerated characters. Zalone reinvents this popular genre, using its accessible language to deliver deeper social commentary.

Why watching Italian films helps you learn Italian

Watching Italian films is an effective way to improve listening skills and cultural awareness.
At Il Centro – Italian Language School for Foreigners, cinema is part of a broader approach to language immersion and real-life communication.

Where to watch “Buen Camino” in Milan

The film is currently screened in major Milanese cinemas such as Anteo Palazzo del Cinema, Cinema Arcobaleno, and UCI Cinemas Bicocca. Check weekly schedules for updated showtimes.