In this compelling story, two young men from the countryside, Gino and Carletto, arrive in the bustling city of Milan, full of hope and ambition. On their first day in the metropolis, they encounter a young woman who is also new to the city—Adelina. She is visibly distressed, crying because she cannot find her cousin. Feeling sympathetic, Gino and Carletto assist her in locating Isotta, her relative, and the three quickly establish a connection, planning to meet again soon.
As they settle into their new lives, the boys find factory jobs—Gino working as a burglar after being scammed on his first day, and Carletto taking a more regular position in a restaurant. Meanwhile, Adelina is taken in by Isotta, who introduces her to the workforce as a maid, with the help of the resourceful Biki. The group eventually moves into an apartment that has a history of tragedy—it once belonged to an artist friend of Biki’s who tragically committed suicide.
Their small community expands when they are joined by Sante, a friend from their first day in Milan, along with his pregnant girlfriend Mariuccia. The newcomers initially plan to stay only a few weeks to get on their feet, but circumstances deepen their ties. When Mariuccia gives birth to twins, their stay extends well beyond the original plan, transforming their living situation into a more permanent fixture.
Adelina, a traditional girl from Sicily, desires to remain chaste, despite her increasingly city-ified lifestyle. Carletto, desperate to be with her, eventually finds a better job working in a restaurant. He tries to propose again, but Adelina insists that they should postpone marriage until they are financially stable, envisioning opening a small shop in the future.
Gino’s path takes a darker turn as he falls in with a petty crook, engaging in burglaries. Feeling ashamed, he deceives Carletto by claiming he is working independently, hiding his illegal activities. Meanwhile, a troubling suggestion emerges from a friend of Carletto’s—that the only way for Carletto to be with Adelina is through force. Tragically, this advice is acted upon when a man involved in the plot is killed, and Gino flees the scene. In the aftermath, Gino confesses to Carletto that he cannot risk being involved with the police because of his criminal record.
Amidst these turbulent events, Adelina resists advances from Carletto, emphasizing her traditional values and modesty. She refuses to have a sexual relationship unless circumstances change, insisting they need to save money instead of spending it on such pursuits. Her concern also extends to her cousin Isotta, who now refuses to communicate with the family—though secretly, she works as a prostitute to send money back home to her rural family.
The narrative intensifies as Sante becomes increasingly desperate after discovering that Mariuccia is pregnant yet again. In his desperation, he becomes involved with fascist factions, ultimately being arrested as the fall guy in a violent incident where a man is killed. Carletto attempts to intervene and defend his friend, but is shocked to find Gino fleeing the scene. Gino, burdened by his criminal lifestyle, admits to Carletto that he cannot involve himself with the police.
Faced with these mounting challenges, Carletto briefly considers leaving Milan to start anew. However, reality quickly beckons when he is called back to his job, reminding him that the city’s pressures and the complexities of their lives continue to pull him back into the cycle from which he seeks to escape.
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