Sua Eccellenza si fermò a mangiare

A handsome but restless husband who resents Silvia’s aloofness and uses his marriage as a springboard for personal gain. His infidelity and opportunism propel much of the plot, and he eagerly plays along with the pretence to protect his status. By the end, the Minister’s intervention helps secure him a high government post, signaling a negotiated, if uneasy, reconciliation with Silvia.

Beautiful and charming, she remains emotionally distant yet intensely aware of the games around her. She resents Ernesto’s affair and navigates the social web with wit, keeping her own desires in check while protecting her marriage. Her reconciliation with Ernesto at the end suggests a resilient, if fragile, bond beneath the surface glamour.

A con artist who impersonates Benito Mussolini’s personal physician to blackmail Ernesto. He uses theatricality, ловeable bravado, and a cunning plan to steal the golden tableware. His elaborate ruse hinges on social manipulation and a fake phone call from The Duce to cover his escape.

A younger, spirited woman who feels wronged by Ernesto’s expectations and his deception. She accompanies the fake doctor and defies the romantic dynamic she’s been drawn into, reacting with passion and moments of sharp wit. Her presence intensifies the tension around marriage, loyalty, and desire.

A social climber who wields her status to influence politics and personal advancement. She invites the doctor to the villa and leverages connections with both the minister and the doctor to further Ernesto’s career. Her scheming highlights the intersection of aristocratic privilege and political ambition.

A high-ranking official invited to inaugurate a monument, he becomes both a target and instrument in the scheme. His presence anchors the social intrigue and ultimately enables Ernesto’s elevation, underscoring how public roles are entangled with private schemes.

A member of the aristocratic Bernabei family, he participates in the social orbit surrounding the villa gathering. As part of the elite milieu, he adds to the atmosphere of prestige and ceremony that frames the farce.