A Woman as a Friend

Francesco De Biase is a thoughtful lawyer who forms a deep, platonic friendship with Claudia, a veterinarian with French roots. They rely on each other for support and share confidences, creating a bond that seems to transcend romance. Their dynamic becomes the emotional backbone of the early part of the story.

Giovanni bursts into Claudia's life and marries her in a rush, believing it's the right move. The marriage quickly reveals his violent side, turning Claudia's world upside down. The outcome pushes Claudia to seek refuge away from him.

Claudia, frightened by Giovanni's violence, searches for shelter at Francesco's home. At the same time, Francesco is preparing to move in with Lia, a colleague who plans to join them. The convergence of these two lives begins to test the boundaries of their friendship.

Francesco realizes that a purely platonic friendship between a man and a woman is more fragile than he expected. He begins lying to Lia about his relationship with Claudia to keep both relationships intact, which strains his conscience. The lie marks a turning point in his emotions.

Claudia makes the decision to leave her violent husband and seek independence. The separation frees her from immediate danger but unsettles the routines of everyone around her. This departure sets the stage for the next phase of their complicated bond.

In a moment of vulnerability, a drunken kiss occurs between Claudia and Francesco. The kiss disrupts the boundaries they've maintained and sparks guilt and confusion. It marks the wake of mounting romantic tension between them.

Feeling overwhelmed by the tangled situation, Francesco spends a night with Luca, a former schoolmate. The encounter deepens Francesco's sense of confession and responsibility toward Claudia. This event compounds the emotional conflict within their circle.

Francesco catches Claudia leaving a room dressed up and follows her, witnessing her in a difficult moment. He concludes that it's time to sever ties with Claudia for good, attempting to protect both their lives from further harm. This decision closes a chapter in their relationship.

Francesco's secretary announces the arrival of a young woman posing as his new secretary: Anna, Claudia's sister who had just emerged from rehab and was promised a position. The presence of Anna introduces Claudia's family into the orbit of Francesco's professional life. This moment stitches Claudia's world into Francesco's life in a complicated way.

Anna hands Francesco Claudia's postcard, informing him that Claudia has returned to Paris with her mother. Francesco resists contact, insisting he wants nothing to do with her, yet the postcard marks a turning point. Following Anna's guidance, Francesco gives the girl his last money and heads to the seaside.

Guided by Anna, Francesco goes to enjoy an ice cream by the seaside, where he unexpectedly meets Giulia, Claudia's mother. The encounter reconnects Francesco with parts of Claudia's past and hints at unresolved feelings. The seaside moment becomes a pivot toward reflection instead of action.

Seven years pass, and Francesco dozes in an airport waiting area. This quiet stretch signals a long separation and the quiet endurance of memories. The moment frames the coming reappearance of Claudia in a very public, liminal space.

Claudia reappears and playfully disturbs Francesco as he sleeps, triggering a cascade of memories. A little girl, Francesco's daughter Emma, arrives, followed by Claudia's mother Giulia with another baby. The two women hurry to catch their plane, leaving Francesco to grapple with what remains between them.