The Son's Room

In the picturesque town of Ancona, we are introduced to Giovanni, a therapist who is grappling with the profound loss of his 17-year-old son, Andrea. The story begins by showcasing Giovanni's emotional state as he tries to manage his grief while continuing his work.

The narrative takes a pivotal turn when Andrea finds himself accused of stealing a rare ammonite fossil from school. Despite his steadfast denial of wrongdoing, this event leads to his suspension, igniting tension within the family.

In a heart-to-heart moment, Andrea confides in his mother, Paola, revealing that the supposed theft was intended as a prank that went awry. He expresses his intentions to return the fossil unharmed, showcasing his innocence and the misunderstandings surrounding the event.

Giovanni and Andrea make plans for a jog together, but Giovanni receives a call that disrupts their plans. He is summoned to console a distressed patient who is facing a cancer scare, highlighting Giovanni's dedication to his work despite the personal turmoil he faces.

While Giovanni is occupied, Andrea decides to go scuba diving with a friend. Tragically, during this outing, Andrea drowns while exploring an underwater cave, which leaves Giovanni, Paola, and their daughter Irene devastated and navigating the overwhelming journey of grief.

In the aftermath of Andrea's tragic death, Giovanni begins to investigate the circumstances surrounding his son's diving equipment. He suspects that the equipment might have been faulty, reflecting his desperation for answers amidst the chaos of his sorrow.

The loss of Andrea places an emotional strain on Giovanni, impacting his ability to connect with his patients. He struggles with feelings of frustration and anger, as he grapples with the inability to process his son's death while continuing to support others.

In a poignant moment, Paola discovers a love letter addressed to Andrea from a girl named Arianna, whom he had met at camp. This revelation compels the family to seek out Arianna, and they become aware that she is still oblivious to Andrea's tragic passing.

After locating Arianna, they invite her to their home to honor Andrea’s memory. This encounter provides the family an unexpected connection to Andrea's life and showcases the impact he had on those around him.

During a visit to a music store, Giovanni attempts to buy an album to commemorate Andrea. He ends up selecting a Brian Eno record, symbolizing his effort to keep Andrea's memory alive, while also deepening his connection to his late son.

Arianna shares light-hearted photographs and stories of Andrea that reveal aspects of his personality Giovanni hadn't fully appreciated. This emotional exchange allows the family to glimpse a side of Andrea's life that was previously unknown to them.

As Arianna shares her travel plans to France, the family offers her and her friend Stefano a ride. This simple gesture evolves into an adventure, as they find themselves traveling through the night towards Menton, the border between Italy and France.

Upon reaching Menton, the family bids farewell to Arianna and Stefano with warmth and gratitude. This moment serves as a sobering reflection on shared memories and signifies the importance of connection in the wake of their loss.

In a powerful closing scene, the family steps onto the beach, a symbolic space that represents hope and the promise of new beginnings. Despite their grief, they are reminded that life continues and memories of Andrea will always remain with them.