Come tu mi vuoi (2007) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The film is set in Rome, Italy. The story unfolds across university campuses where Giada and Riccardo meet for tutoring sessions, a busy restaurant where Giada works as a waitress, and various social spots throughout the city including a rooftop that becomes significant to their relationship. The urban backdrop blends historic Roman streets with contemporary college life.

• rome
• italy
• setting
• locations
• university campus

The events unfold in present-day Rome during a single academic year. The storyline reflects contemporary student culture, including exams, part-time jobs, tutoring sessions, and the nightlife scene. The time period is clearly modern, centering on current university life and dating dynamics in an Italian city.

• present-day
• contemporary
• time period
• academic year
• modern rome

Giada is a diligent communication sciences student who works as a waitress and tutor to fund her college tuition. She is portrayed as nerdy, practical, and humble, with strong resilience and intelligence. Despite her shy and homely appearance, she possesses the confidence to pursue her ambitions and resist social barriers.

• giada
• character
• student
• tutor
• waitress

Riccardo is a wealthy trust-fund student whose life revolves around nightlife and maintaining his social status. Initially, he approaches Giada seeking tutoring help primarily to improve his grades, but his motivations shift as genuine affection develops. He eventually abandons his superficial social circle in favor of a more authentic relationship.

• riccardo
• character
• playboy
• wealthy
• trust fund

The film uses the stark contrast between Giada's humble background and Riccardo's privileged lifestyle as a central tension. Giada must navigate her place in Riccardo's wealthy world while maintaining her authentic self, while Riccardo learns to value genuine connection over material status. Their relationship evolves by challenging traditional expectations around class and compatibility.

• class differences
• social class
• wealth
• privilege
• relationship

The three core themes are Love, Class, and Identity. Love acts as a catalyst for personal growth, transforming the relationship from initial manipulation into genuine care. Class differences test the couple's compatibility and challenge materialistic values. Identity explores how both characters reinvent themselves by redefining what truly matters in life.

• themes
• love
• class
• identity
• personal growth

The film portrays love as a transformative force that pushes both protagonists to confront their assumptions about each other. Their relationship progresses from initial deception to genuine trust, with each character inspiring the other to embrace change. The rooftop kiss symbolizes their commitment to an authentic future together.

• love
• personal growth
• transformation
• romance

The university serves as the initial meeting ground between Giada and Riccardo, with Giada working as Riccardo's tutor to help him improve his abysmal grades. The academic environment highlights their contrasting approaches to life, Giada's diligent work ethic versus Riccardo's privileged indifference, creating the foundation for their connection.

• university
• college
• tutoring
• academic
• education

Both Giada and Riccardo undergo significant identity shifts. Giada learns to balance ambition with authenticity, resisting the urge to perform for approval from Riccardo's social circle. Riccardo abandons his snobbish friends and embraces sincerity and responsibility. Their evolution represents positive transformation, with each becoming a better version of themselves through their relationship.

• character growth
• transformation
• personal change
• evolution

The rooftop serves as a pivotal location where key moments in Giada and Riccardo's relationship unfold. It represents a neutral ground where their class differences dissolve, and genuine connection becomes possible. The rooftop kiss specifically seals their commitment to a more authentic future together.

• rooftop
• location
• romantic scene
• pivotal moment

The film critiques materialism by showing that genuine happiness comes from empathy and authentic connection rather than wealth or social status. Riccardo's journey from a status-focused lifestyle to valuing sincerity demonstrates that personal growth born from understanding and respect matters more than material possessions.

• materialism
• wealth
• money
• values
• authenticity