The Boom is a 1963 Italian comedy directed by Vittorio De Sica, starring Alberto Sordi and Gianna Maria Canale. The film is set in the wealthy society of Italy during the economic boom of the 1950s, a time when everyone wants to get rich as fast as they can.
Sordi plays Giovanni Alberti, a successful businessman who desperately wants to satisfy his wife (Canale)'s craving for luxury and a respectable life. In order to do so, he becomes heavily indebted and lives beyond his means. When a creditor threatens to take away his possessions, he decides to sell a precious part of his body to pay off his debts.
In a panic, he changes his mind at the last minute and runs away from the hospital. However, his creditors track him down and try to force him to go through with the operation. Along the way, Giovanni meets various colorful characters, including a brothel madam, a con artist, and a luxurious heiress who develops an interest in him.
As the financial pressure mounts, Giovanni's life spirals out of control, leading to a hilariously absurd climax. The film's satirical commentary on Italian society's materialism and desire for wealth still resonates today, making The Boom a timeless classic of Italian cinema.