Geremia de’ Geremei, portrayed by Fabrizio Bentivoglio, is an aging tailor residing in the serene landscape of Sabaudia, nestled within the Pontine Marshes. He lives a simple life in a modest home alongside his elderly mother, who is bedridden. Yet, Geremia’s existence is far from conventional; while he runs a small tailoring shop, it serves merely as a facade for his secretive and illicit profession as a loan shark, a path he inherited from his father who abandoned him during his formative years at the age of nine. Displaying a cynical and ruthless demeanor, Geremia is meticulous in demanding respect from those around him and lends a hand only to individuals who can ensure they repay their debts.
Due to his morbid obsession with the troubles of his clients, Geremia earns the nickname "Cuoredoro" or "Heart-of-Gold." His close relationships with his clients often blur the lines of business, turning him into what he refers to as a “family friend," where he integrates himself into their lives until their debts are settled. However, it’s not just wealth that consumes Geremia; he also harbors a love for gianduiotto chocolates and exhibits an unhealthy fixation on women. Assisting him in his operations are two muscular twin brothers who serve as his enforcers, alongside Gino, his loyal informer from Veneto. Gino dresses in cowboy attire and lives in a camper van, fueled by dreams of relocating to Tennessee after having tragically lost his fiancée in an accident years prior.
Among the many clients seeking Geremia’s services is Saverio, portrayed by Gigi Angelillo, a father struggling to afford his daughter's wedding expenses. Geremia becomes particularly invested when he meets the daughter, Rosalba, a stunning beauty queen played by Laura Chiatti. Rosalba is unfazed by financial issues and does not possess any extravagant demands regarding her wedding. However, her anger surges when she discovers that this so-called "family friend," who has sprung into their lives, is actually leveraging their financial hardship for profit. Saverio ultimately reveals to her that the family is nearly destitute, and they must endure yet another humiliation to secure a proper wedding.
On the morning of the wedding, under the guise of making dress repairs, Geremia visits Rosalba, who reluctantly decides to offer herself to him in exchange for a significant reduction in the usury rates. The plot thickens when Geremia is presented with an enticing opportunity by an industrialist, Giulio Montanaro, who needs an emergency loan of one million euros to finalize a critical deal. Despite being cautioned by Gino and his mother against such a risky move—having only dealt with smaller loans in the past—Geremia, in a state of optimism inflamed by a recent encounter with the hesitant yet seemingly infatuated newlywed, decides to take the plunge.
However, as the deal comes to fruition, Geremia soon finds himself ensnared in a web of deceit. He becomes aware that Gino, the thugs, and Rosalba have conspired against him by fabricating the scenario with hired actors and have vanished without a trace. With his mother’s demise and the loss of all his belongings, Geremia finds himself utterly isolated. In a striking final moment, he is depicted searching for valuables along the Sabaudia beach with a metal detector, hinting at his determination to regain his fortune once more, embracing a life of relentless pursuit and resilience.
