Sicilia Express Review: Working in Milan and Sleeping in Sicily

Christmas is that time of year when various emotions resurface, while the atmosphere becomes magical, special, and, at times, enveloped in a sweet melancholy. This is the case for Salvo and Valentino in Sicilia Express, two Sicilian nurses who moved to Milan for work, and who inevitably feel the distance from their family. While economic needs can drive such important decisions, a change like this can disrupt one's balance.

However, a simple wish gives rise to a wonderful magic capable of erasing any kind of distance. No degrees of separation, no suffering, no longing: all thanks to a simple garbage dumpster. This is a five-episode miniseries that, although short, brings some smiles and transports us into the bizarre Christmas atmosphere of Ficarra and Picone.

The Plot of Sicilia Express: The Magic of Christmas

Salvo and Valentino are forced to work in Milan, far from their families and Valentino's sweet daughter, Aurora. And who, more than a child, can feel the absence of their dad, while the warm lights of Christmas trees shine all around and festive songs echo through the streets of Sicily? It is her drawing that changes everything: the little girl asks Santa Claus to spend time with her relatives without having to suffer from the distance anymore and without seeing them argue every time. That simple piece of paper transforms into a real spell, a superpower that – to be honest – would be useful to us too.

A mundane and dirty dumpster transforms into a portal capable of transporting the two protagonists from Milan to Sicily in the blink of an eye. Or rather, in the blink of a lid. When the two realize this inexplicable magic, they immediately take advantage of it: sometimes to perform not-so-commendable actions (for example, to spy on their wives due to jealousy), other times to continue protecting both their work and their family. Needless to say, a series of decidedly hilarious events unfold, albeit surrounded by a series of significant messages that we particularly appreciated.

Not Your Classic Christmas Comedy

Don't expect a particularly revolutionary series, but rather a very simple and genuine experience capable of making you spend a few carefree hours. In addition to the magical Christmas atmosphere, there is also a certain political satire, as well as particular attention to the prejudices between North and South, which continue to emerge despite everything. Even within families, there are jokes and discrimination, where the need to move for work is perceived as a betrayal: it seems more important to stay in the family business, even if it's not for us, rather than pursuing the career one truly aspires to.

Sicily has the sea, Milan has the fog. In Sicily there are cannoli, in Milan the food is not so inviting: during the episodes we witness a series of jokes and contrasts between the two regions, although at a certain point a real union between them also emerges (we avoid spoilers for good reason, but with a teleportation involved everything becomes decidedly simpler). In any case, the most beautiful aspects of both territories are also shown, from the majesty of the Duomo to the lavish tables of Sicily, without neglecting the problems and critical issues that, unfortunately, characterize both realities. These include drugs and poverty, as well as political corruption in Sicily, and then healthcare malpractice, constant water shortages, and attempts to revive the economy through the opening of zero-kilometer stores. This is the case of the wives of the two protagonists, played by actresses Katia Follesa and Barbara Tabita: the two decided to open a shop independently, but initial challenges and disappointments were not lacking.

Certainly, distance is never beneficial and leads to nothing good; the further apart you are, the more you drift apart, the more you argue, the more coldness and misunderstandings are created. This miniseries, though short and genuine, shows us how much proximity can truly change things, but also how much still needs to be done in our country, still full of problems and rigid mental schemes.

The Cast

As we anticipated, the cast includes several characters also from the world of Zelig, as well as actors like Max Tortora in the role of the Prime Minister, Jerry Calà, Pino Calabrese, and others.

Overall, don't expect an overly intricate series with particularly funny or emotional dialogues. It is rather a well-balanced equilibrium between the two: neither too comical nor too serious. Furthermore, if you appreciate the duo Ficarra and Picone, you are already at an advantage, as you are familiar with their acting style and sense of humor. Even if the duo is not among your favorites, we still invite you to give this viewing a chance: in our case, it proved to be pleasant and carefree, as well as good entertainment for the Christmas holidays.

Moreover, it's a really short miniseries: 5 episodes of 30 minutes, so you could practically finish it in a day. The genuineness of the scenes also makes the series suitable for children: if you want to watch it with the little ones, this is another aspect that we particularly appreciated, unlike classic Christmas comedies often characterized by scenes or images not suitable for minors.

Sicilia Express Review: Conclusions

Sicilia Express is a very short series with a truly minimal duration. The plot is not revolutionary and perhaps won't particularly surprise you, but it remains authentic, with simple and light scenes and dialogues, suitable for both adults and children. The magical Christmas atmosphere is enriched by hidden messages that make you reflect, from political to territorial and economic problems, to the discriminations that unfortunately continue to persist.

However, a simple dumpster demonstrates how much proximity can change people's lives and, at the same time, how distance can disrupt balances to the point of almost irreparably damaging them. There are also small satisfactions towards the final stages, especially in moments where workplace injustices emerge. Overall, it's a series we definitely recommend to adults and children and to anyone who wants to have a lighthearted experience without wasting too much time. If you love Ficarra and Picone, then the fun is guaranteed. But how wonderful would it be to open our closet and instantly find ourselves in the arms of our loved ones?