Marcello Mastroianni plays Ferdinando Cefalu with an understated, deadpan ease that highlights his skills as a gifted screen comedian. His only tick is a slight contraction of his mouth. With his cigarette dangling from it's holder, his hair and mustache carefully waxed, Mastroianni concocts a farcical plot to eliminate his wife in order that he can be with his sultry first cousin, a young blonde just entering womanhood. The plot he sets forth to eliminate his wife involves hiring his wife's old boyfriend, arranging for them to be alone, carefully tape recording their conversations, and lastly killing his wife. His defense would be "a crime of passion" and "defending his honor." He even goes so far as to choose the lawyer for his defense well in advance of the crime. But of course nothing turns out as it should and Ferdinando is forced to improvise. If you like watching great actors in meaty roles then pounce on this one. It is arguably Mastroianni's greatest screen performance. Why, because dying is easy and comedy is hard, but no one makes it look easier than this great actor. Best scene: Ferdinando goes to avenge his honor, only to find out he has been beaten to the punch by the wife of the man who ran off with his wife.......bravo Marcello!