My Friends

Four middle-aged friends in Florence band together to prolong their youth by organizing idle pranks. Their zingarate become the beating heart of their fragile friendships and a way to cope with ordinary life. The group builds a shared code of laughter and mischief that runs through the film.

Mascetti is an impoverished noble who still pursues high living and luxury. He keeps an underage mistress, showing how far he is willing to go to indulge himself. The situation highlights the gap between appearances and reality within the group.

Perozzi is a carefree journalist whose wife and son disapprove of his lifestyle. His home life contrasts with his public charm and the group's roguish energy. This tension foreshadows how far his adventures will take them.

The friends are joined by Professor Alfeo Sassaroli, a renowned military-like surgeon. After a mismanaged zingarata, they recover in his clinic, forming a bond that grounds their antics. His clinic becomes a backdrop for both camaraderie and trouble.

Melandri becomes infatuated with Sassaroli's wife, discovering a complicated personal dynamic. The attraction tests loyalty within the friend group and introduces a personal risk to their carefree lifestyle. The episode marks a shift from pure mischief to vulnerability.

The friends stage an elaborate fake Marseille mafia operation as part of their pranks. They recruit Righi, a pensioner who used to steal croissants at Necchi's café, turning him into an unwitting participant. The ruse spirals and entangles more people than intended.

Mascetti tries to salvage his marriage even as he continues his relationship with Titti. He navigates social appearances and family expectations, complicating his friendships. The tension tests the loyalty of the group and foreshadows consequences.

Perozzi passes away, a turning point that casts gravity over their hijinks. Yet the friends refuse to abandon their mischievous ways, choosing to keep the pranks alive in his memory. The death binds them closer in shared humor and loss.

Perozzi's wife shows skepticism, wondering if his death could be one of their pranks. She challenges the idea that anyone serious ever truly dies in their orbit. The moment contrasts outward laughter with the reality of loss.

Mascetti responds with a dry line about the deceased, highlighting the bittersweet tone of their friendships. The remark acknowledges both affection and the absurdity of their world. It underscores how humor shines through tragedy.

During the funeral procession, the friends tell Righi that Perozzi died for betraying their mafia. The hoax reveals their playful cruelty and their attempt to honor their friend in their own way. Melandri bursts into sobs of laughter, while the others break down too.

Righi, convinced the group is heartbroken, is genuinely moved by the display. The prank exposes both the cruelty and tenderness of their bond. The film closes on a note that their hijinks may continue, even after death.