It Can Be Done, Amigo (1972)

- Si può fare... amigo
What a bizarre plot!, 27 February 2006

I would love to briefly explain the plot of It Can Be Done, Amigo, but I don't think I'm capable. It almost defies words with its bizarreness. I'll give it a stab though. Bud Spencer is Coburn, the opposite of what I normally associate with the hero of a Spaghetti Western (SW). He's miles away from the image of the svelte Man with No Name. Coburn is a big man who looks like he may crush the horse he rides. He doesn't carry a gun, but relies on his powerful fists to defend himself. He is entrusted with safely delivering a young boy to his home after the boy's uncle dies. The trip won't be easy as hot on Coburn's heels is a wagon carrying the woman (Dany Saval) who insists on marrying Coburn, her brother (Jack Palance) who wants to kill Coburn, and the brother's traveling brothel. Once Coburn and the boy reach the boy's home, it seems that everyone in town, including the town's Mayor/Sheriff/Minister, is anxious to get it away from him, whether by buying it or killing to get it. Coburn's got to figure out a way to help the boy keep his land all the while staying one move ahead of his betrothed, her brother, and the Mayor/Sheriff/Minister who will stop at nothing to get the homestead.

Whew! That was difficult. But as confusing and crazy as the plot may sound, in the end, it all makes sense. Bud Spencer, as he proved in his many films with Terence Hill, has a flair for comedy and most of it works. Sure, there are a few misfires along the way, but you can generally count on Spencer to deliver. I cannot say the same for Jack Palance. Unlike almost every other review I've read on It Can Be Done, Amigo, I don't care for Palance in this film. His constant grimaces and sneering really didn't work for me. The rest of the cast is okay with Dany Saval giving a standout supporting performance.

As much fun as I had with parts of this film, I can't rate it any higher because of the sluggish first act. The movie starts off at a snails pace and I was really worried I might fall asleep if something didn't happen soon. A little better pacing throughout It Can Be Done, Amigo might have gone a long way to making this a truly memorable SW.

5/10