Dearest Relatives, Poisonous Relations

During a crowded Christmas gathering at the family home, tensions and affection mingle as relatives trade jokes, old grievances, and careful civility. The parents drop a radical proposal that unsettles the room: they intend to move into one of their children and pass on the house to that chosen son or daughter. What follows is a sharp fired of bickering, loyalties tested, and role reversals as everyone argues about care, privacy, and who owes whom a debt of gratitude. The announcement acts as a mirror for a modern family where generations collide and expectations clash with practicality. Humor arises from misread signals, sly one liners, and the clash between affection and stubborn habits. Old patterns shake loose and alliances shift.

Directed by Mario Monicelli, this 1992 Italian comedy brings together a team of writers including Carmine Amoroso, Suso Cecchi d'Amico and Piero De Bernardi. The film presents a brisk, character driven look at family life with a satirical edge too.

Box office details for Dearest Relatives, Poisonous Relations are not widely documented, especially outside Italy. The film remains more noted for its cast and director than for blockbuster earnings, and it has a modest footprint within the Monicelli catalog overall.

Though not a cult phenomenon, the film stands as an example of early 90s Italian family comedies that punch up social expectations without losing warmth. Marina Confalone leads a capable ensemble, delivering memorable lines that critics and audiences still associate with the era's humor. Humor remains a reference for ensembles.

Critics respond to the film with appreciation for its sharp timing and warm character work, and audiences have given it a vote average of about 7.4 out of 10 from votes. The movie treats duty, inheritance, and generational shifts with humor that lets the moral sting fade into laughter today.