Romanzo Criminale

Romanzo Criminale

Year: 2005

Runtime: 152 mins

Language: Italian

CrimeDramaCrime drugs and gangstersPolitics and human rightsGritty crime and ruthless gangsters

After a juvenile prison stint, Freddo reunites with old friends Libano and Dandi and launches a crime spree that makes them Rome’s top gangsters. Libano revels in their new status and expands their influence, while his partners chase personal pleasures. Over decades they pull off lavish robberies, but growing paranoia threatens to split the trio.

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Timeline & Setting – Romanzo Criminale (2005)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Romanzo Criminale (2005). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1970s

The narrative unfolds throughout the 1970s in Rome, a period marked by political turmoil and the ascent of organized crime. It traces the progression from a childhood car theft to a sprawling criminal enterprise. The timeline emphasizes how quickly a youth gang can morph into a city-wide power structure amid urban unrest.

Location

Rome, Bologna Train Station, beachside caravan

Set in the 1970s Rome underworld with a seaside hideout near the city, the story moves from a derelict caravan by the beach to crowded urban streets. The city is depicted as a chessboard where power, money, and violence intersect. The gang's rise reshapes neighborhoods and draws increasing attention from law enforcement.

🏙️ Urban crime 🌊 Coastal setting

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:51

Main Characters – Romanzo Criminale (2005)

Meet the key characters of Romanzo Criminale (2005), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Il Freddo (Kim Rossi Stuart)

A core member whose calm, calculating nature contrasts with the escalating violence around him. He falls for Roberta, adding a personal dilemma to his criminal ambitions and complicating his resolve to stay apart from the gang’s worst excesses.

🔫 Gang member 🧭 Ambitious ❤️ Romantic entanglement

Libano (Pierfrancesco Favino)

The ruthless mastermind planning kidnappings and shaping the gang’s power base in Rome. He prioritizes profit and control, orchestrating moves that expand the underworld’s reach while navigating shifting loyalties.

💼 Leader 🗡️ Ruthless 🧭 Strategist

Dandi (Claudio Santamaria)

A gang member whose loyalty and courage are tested as the empire grows. His involvement with Patrizia and the evolving power structure pushes him toward increasingly risky choices.

🧩 Loyalist 🔪 Enforcer 💔 Conflicted

Barone Rosellini (Franco Interlenghi)

A wealthy aristocrat and the gang’s ransom target whose status embodies the old social order the crew seeks to upend. His involvement catalyzes police interest and public intrigue.

👑 Aristocrat 💰 Target 🧭 Catalyst

Patrizia (Anna Mouglalis)

A high-class prostitute bought by the gang to manage Dandi and maintain control. Her presence highlights the commodification of women within the criminal world and the power dynamics at play.

💃 Prostitute 🧭 Manipulated ❤️ Love interest

Roberta (Jasmine Trinca)

Ice’s love interest and Gigio’s tutor, whose relationship with the gang brings a personal dimension to the violence surrounding them. Her fate illustrates the human costs of the crime world.

💘 Romantic interest 🗡️ Consequence 🕊️ Human vulnerability

Nero (Riccardo Scamarcio)

A key member who helps drive the gang’s expansion and enforces the group’s will. His actions contribute to the brutal dynamics that define the rise of the criminal empire.

🕵️ Operative 💰 Power broker

Terribile (Massimo Popolizio)

The formidable drug dealer whose organization is absorbed into the gang’s growing empire. His presence marks the drug trade’s central role in Rome’s crime landscape.

🧪 Drug lord 🔪 Violence

Scialoja (Stefano Accorsi)

The Police Commissioner who relentlessly pursues the gang, using surveillance and investigation to undermine their operations. He represents the relentless pressure of law enforcement on organized crime.

🕵️ Lawman ⚖️ Pursuit

Carenza Gemito (Gianmarco Tognazzi)

A pivotal ally recruited by Lebanese, aiding the gang’s enforcement and expansion. His involvement helps solidify the crew’s grip on power within Rome’s criminal underworld.

🤝 Ally 🧭 Enforcer

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:51

Major Themes – Romanzo Criminale (2005)

Explore the central themes of Romanzo Criminale (2005), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕴️ Power

Power drives the gang’s expansion in Rome. What starts as simple crimes evolves into control over markets and neighborhoods, fueling a ruthless ascent. Ambition and the lure of dominance lead to betrayals and escalating violence as the underworld tightens its grip.

🔪 Violence

Violence is the currency of the underworld, punctuating every major shift in the gang’s fortunes. Murders, ambushes, and coercion propel the plot and determine loyalties. The constant threat of retaliation creates a vicious cycle of revenge.

💔 Loyalty & Betrayal

Loyalty binds the crew at first, but personal bonds and romantic entanglements test those ties as money and power come into play. Strategic betrayals remix alliances and deepen the moral cost of crime. The tale shows how quickly loyalty can fracture under pressure.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:51

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Romanzo Criminale Summary

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Romanzo Criminale Summary

Romanzo Criminale Timeline

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Romanzo Criminale Timeline

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Romanzo Criminale Spoiler-Free Summary

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