At first glance the Ristuccia family is apparently normal and close-knit, but all of its members are hiding something. Carlo (Fabrizio Bentivoglio) the head of the family, would like to be come a writer rather than continue working in an insurance company. Giulia (Laura Morante) his wife, is a professor of literature who aspires to become an actress. Paolo (the directorʼs son) is an insecure teenager who cannot successfully assert himself in front of girls whom he likes. Valentina desires to become a televi sion showgirl at any cost. This silence is broken when Carlo meets his old love Alessia (Monica Bellucci) with whom he starts an extramarital affair. As a result Giulia falls into total despair, destroying the family's equilibrium and losing control over their children.

Morante as Giulia is the real stand out here and gives a fiery, layered performance as the frustrated matriarch trying to keep her neurotic clan together.

Gabrielle Muccinoʼs direction is as observant and detailed as in his previous film, The Last Kiss, which tackled similar is sues. His charactersʼ tendency toward hysteria keeps the drama fast paced and compelling, as well as a bit exhausting.

The innovative fusion of farce, satire, and drama is often on the verge of spilling into melodrama but that doesnʼt bother me because life is like that anyway. Just listening to the lyrical dialogue where beautiful people say painful things to each other in gorgeous clothes will transport you to Italy for the evening but you only have to go to the Palisades Free Library to experience it. Have a nice trip.