I Can Quit Whenever I Want 2: Masterclass (2017)

Overview

"I Can Quit Whenever I Want 2: Masterclass" forms the second installment of a dark comedy-crime series that has drawn attention in recent Italian cinema. Directed by Sydney Sibilia, the film expands on the story of a group of university academics who abandoned academia for the drug trade. This time, the group introduced in the first film finds itself dragged into greater dangers and a far more complex criminal network.

The production blends Italian cinema's distinctive witty storytelling style, rapid-fire dialogue, and absurdist comedy elements with crime film conventions. This second entry in the series centers on the collapse of the system the characters had previously built and their struggle to rebuild it, presenting itself as a production striving to sustain the success of the first film. The cast includes familiar Italian actors such as Edoardo Leo, Valerio Aprea, and Neri Marcorè, alongside names like Francesco Acquaroli, who delivers a charismatic performance. Acquaroli's menacing and striking take on his character lends the production's criminal elements added weight.

While the film preserves the academic-comic tone of the first installment, it this time steps into a harsher and more dangerous criminal world. The idea of characters using their intelligence and scientific knowledge for illegal activities forms the foundation of the series' distinctive sense of humor.

Plot

The story follows the group of academics who had somehow ended their "smart drug" business from the first film, as they attempt to return to their old lives but find themselves pulled back into the criminal underworld. The group's leader, Pietro Zinni, and his friends now face a criminal organization even more dangerous and better organized than they are. They're forced to use their scientific knowledge from their academic backgrounds not only in drug production anymore, but also in their struggle to survive.

Throughout the film, the characters draw on their expertise in their respective disciplines—chemistry, mathematics, archaeology, economics, and more—to devise creative solutions in the face of escalating danger. This time, more dangerous criminal figures, bigger sums of money, and riskier operations enter the picture. The group's efforts to manage both their relationships with one another and the threats coming from outside form the film's balance of tension and comedy.

Why Watch It?

The film stands out for its original screenplay structure, which blends academic intelligence with the criminal underworld. The characters' attempts to solve problems using their scientific knowledge offer viewers a narrative that is both funny and intriguing. Italian cinema's characteristic fast and clever dialogue style emerges as one of the film's strongest points.

The cast's performances, particularly the tension that Francesco Acquaroli's character brings to the film, elevate the production beyond mere comedy, reinforcing it with crime-drama elements. For viewers who want to follow the development of the beloved characters from the first film, this second installment offers both the chance to see familiar faces again and a deeper, more developed narrative.

The film also serves as a fine example for those curious about the direction Italian popular cinema is taking on the international stage. Observing how local humor is combined with a universal crime-comedy formula offers an intriguing experience for film enthusiasts.

Who Is It For?

This film is a solid choice for fans of dark comedy who enjoy productions that combine crime and humor. For viewers who have seen the first film and want to see what happens to the characters next, it serves as a natural continuation. Those curious about Italian cinema and culture will appreciate the film's local humor and social references.

It also offers a satisfying viewing experience for those who enjoy fast-paced, dialogue-heavy productions and scripts with an academic/intellectual sense of humor. However, viewers expecting heavy action or a classic crime drama may not find what they're looking for, given the film's comedy-driven structure.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. An original and creative screenplay structure blending academic intelligence with the criminal underworld

2. A strong cast, particularly Francesco Acquaroli's charismatic, menacing performance

3. A successful continuation of Italian cinema's tradition of fast, clever, and witty dialogue

Cons:

1. Viewers who haven't seen the series' first film may find some character relationships and background information lacking

2. Some comedic elements may feel repetitive compared to the first film

Genre and Tone

The film has a hybrid tone that blends dark comedy with crime drama. Italian cinema's characteristic fast-paced, dialogue-heavy storytelling style is on full display here as well. Absurd situations and humor enriched with academic references make up the film's comedic side, while escalating danger and criminal elements raise the tension.

The tonal shifts are quite fluid; a dialogue that makes you laugh in one scene can turn into a tense crime scene in the next. This balance keeps the film's overall atmosphere dynamic and unpredictable.

Runtime and Viewing Experience

The film runs at a standard feature-length runtime, conveying the story within that time without cramming it in, but also without unnecessary padding. The fast editing technique and dynamic storytelling keep the viewer's attention constantly engaged. When watching with subtitles, some of the Italian jokes and cultural references may not fully come across to the viewer, but the overall story flow and character dynamics are presented in an understandable way.

The film is edited at a pace suited to a single sitting; the transitions between scenes are smooth and successfully keep the viewer immersed in the story.

Similar Productions

• I Can Quit Whenever I Want (2014) - The first film in the series

• I Can Quit Whenever I Want: Ad Honorem (2017) - The third and final film in the series

• The Big Short (2015) - Shares the theme of intellectual characters getting involved in financial crimes

• Breaking Bad (TV series) - Similar in concept to an academic's entry into the criminal world

• Snatch (2000) - A structure blending dark comedy and crime elements

• Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) - Clever characters' struggle within the criminal underworld

Final Verdict

"I Can Quit Whenever I Want 2: Masterclass" can be considered a satisfying sequel that strives to sustain the success of the first film, creatively blending academic intelligence with the criminal underworld. Successfully continuing Italian cinema's distinctive sense of humor and fast dialogue style, the production offers an enjoyable viewing experience, especially for viewers who liked the first film in the series.

The strong cast, led by Francesco Acquaroli's performance, reinforces the film's crime-drama elements, while the screenplay manages to sustain its original humor enriched with academic references. As the middle installment of the trilogy, this film serves a satisfying function both in advancing the story and developing the characters. It's a recommendable pick for viewers who enjoy dark comedy and crime genres together, and stands as one of the successful examples of Italian popular cinema.