Le vie del Signore sono finite

Le vie del Signore sono finite

Year: 1987

Runtime: 117 mins

Language: Italian

Comedy

Set in Italy during the 1920s, a barber is in a wheelchair because of a psychosomatic illness after he lost the woman he loves.

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Timeline & Setting – Le vie del Signore sono finite (1987)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Le vie del Signore sono finite (1987). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Fascist era (1920s–1940s) in Italy

The narrative is set under Mussolini's rule, a period of nationalist rhetoric, censorship, and rigid social codes. Personal relationships are tested by ideological expectations and political surveillance. The characters navigate loyalty, identity, and resilience within a society ordered by authoritarian principles. The time frame shapes both the characters' choices and the consequences they face.

Location

Acquasalubre, Lourdes, Rome, Paris, Ethiopia

The story unfolds in Acquasalubre, a small Italian town that embodies the social norms of the fascist era. Camillo's world expands beyond the town with a Lourdes pilgrimage and later journeys to Rome and Paris, highlighting a spectrum from religious devotion to cosmopolitan encounters. The eventual mention of an Ethiopia trip hints at the regime’s expansive political fantasies and the era’s global ambitions.

🏙️ Provincial Italian town 🕍 Lourdes pilgrimage site 🏛️ Rome city 🗼 Paris life 🌍 Ethiopia voyage

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:27

Main Characters – Le vie del Signore sono finite (1987)

Meet the key characters of Le vie del Signore sono finite (1987), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Camillo (Massimo Troisi)

A barber from Acquasalubre who suffers a psychosomatic leg paralysis, a symptom of unresolved love and loyalty. His restraint and willingness to shield friends reveal a complex blend of selflessness and stubbornness. He skillfully navigates personal happiness while keeping his recovery secret to avoid upsetting Orlando.

🧠 Psychological conflict ❤️ Romantic loyalty 🎭 Tragic drama

Vittoria (Jo Champa)

A woman of French origin living in Italy, she maintains her connection with Camillo while also engaging with another man. Her feelings are tested by competing affections and social expectations. She remains central to the emotional tension and eventual revelations in the story.

💞 Love triangle 🌍 Cosmopolitan 🎭 Drama

Orlando (Massimo Bonetti)

Camillo's close friend who is actually paralyzed; he embodies solitude and longing and evolves into a significant political figure. He is both a beneficiary of Camillo's loyalty and a catalyst for the schemes that shape their fates. His relationship with Vittoria is a pivotal source of tension and eventual clarity.

🤝 Friendship 🏛️ Politics 🎭 Drama

Anita (Carola Stagnaro)

A fervent admirer of the Duce who becomes part of Camillo's ruse to influence Orlando. Her commitment to ideology clashes with personal sentiment, and she ultimately withdraws after a harsh jab about Mussolini. She helps drive the plot’s social maneuvers and its eventual consequences.

🇮🇹 Nationalism 🗣️ Wit and deception 🎭 Drama

Leone (Marco Messeri)

Camillo's brother and fellow barber who endures real or feigned pain to support his brother. His jealousy and protective instincts add tension to the brothers' relationship, and his later admissions reveal deeper family loyalties and secrets.

👬 Family loyalty 🎭 Drama 💬 Secrets

Papà di Camillo (Enzo Cannavale)

The father figure in Camillo's life, representing traditional values and familial support within a changing society. His presence anchors the personal stakes against the backdrop of political upheaval.

👨‍👦 Family 🕰️ Traditional values 🎭 Drama

Cameriere (Giovanni Febbraro)

A waiter who appears in key scenes, serving as a social observer within the town’s daily life. His presence helps ground the narrative in ordinary moments amidst extraordinary personal drama.

🧑‍🍳 Service people 🎭 Drama

Sorella di Camillo e Leone (Clelia Rondinella)

The sister of Camillo and Leone, whose role underscores family ties and shared history. She contributes to the emotional landscape of the brothers and the choices they face.

👭 Family ties 🎭 Drama

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:27

Major Themes – Le vie del Signore sono finite (1987)

Explore the central themes of Le vie del Signore sono finite (1987), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧠 Mental Health

Camillo's psychosomatic paralysis reveals how emotional conflict, love, and fear can manifest as physical symptoms. The plot follows his concealed recovery, a deception meant to protect a friend and preserve fragile bonds. The doctor-styled psychoanalysis and the stigma around illness reflect how the mind and body mirror social pressures. This theme casts inner turmoil as a battlefield where healing requires courage and honesty.

❤️ Love Triangle

A complex dynamic develops between Camillo, Vittoria, and Orlando, driving suspicion, longing, and misinterpretation. Vittoria's ties to Camillo and the presence of another suitor intensify emotional stakes and test loyalties. Jealousy and strategic moves to shape relationships push the characters toward painful revelations. The triangle exposes how affection competes with friendship and personal pride.

🏛️ Political Climate

The fascist setting frames everyday life, dictating attitudes and social comportment. Scenes like the patent office encounter reveal how ideology channels ambition and fate. Arrests and political manipulation remind characters of the regime's reach over personal freedom. The regime's power intersects with intimate choices, forcing compromises and highlighting moral ambiguity.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:27

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