Have you watched the latest Mission Impossible and Tom Cruise’s Fiat de Resistance… well, I’ve been there.
Trying to kick a Fiat Cinquecento into life.
In my case it was Cannes, in Tom’s and alter ego Ethan Hunt’s, the Spanish Steps in Rome.
Where an albeit handcuffed Ethan and Grace faffed with the dashboard.
Before they got the hang of the classic car to clatter down the steps and through the streets of Rome.
Italian batallion
And, obviously, for our delectation past the Colosseum time and time and time again.
Of course, we have to remind ourselves for all Tom’s stunt boastery, this is all just great CGI.
I mean, whoever got through Roman traffic unless on a Vespa or Lambretta.
Or down the Venetian alleyways which for the first time in history were empty!
And all without a guide book compass, and yes you can thank me later.
Which makes you wonder how Ethan and Grace found the Ponte Minich, or Minich Bridge, so easily.
As they both admit in a cheesy moment that it was their first time in the water city.
Surely an omission for any international man of mystery.
An Alpine hand
It would, in truth, be mission impossible for Ethan to have to find the golden key anywhere as random down the back of the couch.
Because that wouldn’t showcase the favourite familiar scenes we know from MI and Bond and others.
With (spoiler alert, though really) the climax plays out in the Austrian Alps.
With Innsbruck as a backdrop for the Melodrama on the Orient Express (naturally).
Although truth be told it’s actually the Kylling Bridge in Norway.
And other pit stops
Amsterdam too is featured, and again it’s popular for movie chases.
Despite busy canals and pathways and despite his derring-do I wouldn’t advise even Ethan to take on the angry Amsterdammer cyclists.
He’s on safer ground, or sand in the deserts of Abu Dhabi.
For the rest of us we can only aspire to Ethan’s feats of incredulity.
But it’s reassuring to know that he too struggles with classic Italian cars.
Of course, he comes through to make it Tom Cruise’s Fiat de Resistance.
While for other international men of mystery it’s a Fiat de Persistence.