Friends for Life

A new pupil, Franco, arrives in the eighth-grade class and is placed at Mario's desk. Mario greets him with hostility at first, expecting a rival. Franco quickly proves he is intelligent and soon earns the admiration of classmates and teachers.

As days pass, Franco proves his intelligence and charm, entering the good graces of his peers and professors. His presence shifts the classroom dynamics as teachers start to rely on him and friends draw near. Mario watches, adjusting his stance toward the newcomer.

The initial hostility fades as the boys start meeting and sharing confidences. Their rivalry gives way to a genuine friendship built on mutual curiosity and support. They become inseparable within their school and neighborhood circle.

Franco opens up about a girl he loves, describing her as Ingrid Bergman with black hair. He explains that he is the son of a diplomat, currently living in a hotel, and that he drinks tomato juice for an aperitif. He also hints that the girl lives in a villa on the Via Appia and that he rarely gets to see her.

Intrigued by Franco's story, Mario resolves to visit the villa to discover who the girl is. He learns that the villa is actually Franco's old house and that his mother had died there, a revelation that sheds new light on Franco's past. The moment marks a turning point in their friendship.

After the discovery, Franco initially reacts badly to the truth but gradually opens up. The two boys return to Franco's old house together and share a liberating moment, deepening their bond. The secret brings them closer rather than driving them apart.

The strong friendship leads to a practical step: Franco will live with Mario's family for greater stability. The arrangement lets the two boys support each other and blend their households. It marks a shift from secrecy to shared life.

Both boys enter the national cross-country championship, testing their endurance and resolve. They navigate the demanding course and see each other in competition, pushing one another toward better performances. The event becomes a stage for their evolving dynamic.

In the final stretch, Franco outpaces Mario and wins the race, surprising their friends and rivals. Mario's anger surfaces as pride and jealousy clash with their friendship. The victory raises the stakes of their relationship.

Fueled by anger after the race, Mario tells the group about Franco's mother, an adult secret Franco had sworn to keep. The disclosure wounds Franco and strains the bond they had formed. The breach of trust begins the unraveling of their friendship.

To mask his deep disappointment with Mario, Franco pretends to be physically ill. He then makes the painful decision to leave Rome with his father, signaling a temporary or permanent departure from the life they built together. His departure underscores the fragility of their friendship.

Franco departs with his father and never returns to the life he shared with Mario. The two boys' bond dissolves as Franco seeks distance, leaving their experiment in friendship behind. The film ends with the unresolved tension of their separation.