We Can Do That

We Can Do That

Year: 2008

Runtime: 111 mins

Language: Italian

Director: Giulio Manfredonia

ComedyDrama

The story follows Nello, newly appointed director of a work cooperative for former psychiatric patients left adrift after Italy’s Basaglia Law closed state hospitals. Determined to empower rather than sedate his charges, he pushes them to develop skills and engage with the world, though his ambitious methods sometimes exact a heavy personal cost.

Hopeful
Happy ending
Moderately emotional
Medium intensity
Steady pacing
Simple story

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen We Can Do That yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – We Can Do That (2008)

Trace every key event in We Can Do That (2008) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Nello is attacked and transferred to Cooperative 180

In 1983 Milan, Nello, a trade unionist who wrote a book about the market, is severely attacked by his comrades. He is transferred to Cooperative 180, an institution created for patients discharged from mental hospitals under Law 180. He resolves to involve the residents to understand the cooperative spirit.

1983 Milan
2

Assembly votes to pivot from care work to market

The residents vote to abandon traditional care tasks and start working as parquet installers. Nello leads a shift toward market-oriented goals, aiming to channel the patients' abilities into production. The decision marks the start of the cooperative's new mission.

early phase (1983) Cooperative 180
3

Roles assigned within the cooperative

Listening to everyone's ideas, the group assigns roles to each patient based on individual traits. The cooperative reorganizes into a market-oriented production team, with members contributing according to strengths. The aim is to exploit diverse talents for the parquet-installation business.

early phase Cooperative 180
4

First job reveals inexperience

After the reorganization, the first job proves challenging due to inexperience. The team makes mistakes but learns from them, strengthening their resolve to improve.

early phase Milan workshop
5

Contract with a high-fashion atelier

The cooperative secures a contract with a prestigious fashion atelier. The residents see an opportunity to prove themselves in a demanding environment. This win marks a turning point for their business prospects.

soon after first job Milan atelier
6

Wood shortage on delivery day

On the delivery deadline, the required wood runs out. Luca and Gigio improvise with scraps to create a decorative star panel that covers the entire floor. The surprising solution earns praise and expands future opportunities.

delivery deadline Milan workshop
7

Star panel boosts the cooperative

The star panel gains admiration and draws in more contracts for the cooperative. The innovative use of waste materials demonstrates their adaptability and creativity.

shortly after the workshop success Milan
8

Drug reduction debated; new support emerges

Nello recognizes the need to taper drug dosages for the patients but faces strong opposition from Dr. Del Vecchio. He begins to rely on Dr. Furlan and EU funds to support their work.

mid-stage Medical planning / clinic
9

EU-backed move to a new site

With Dr. Furlan's help and EU funds, the partners move to a new location to continue their work with reduced drug support. The move marks a new chapter and expansion of their operations.

after securing funds New site
10

Gigio and Caterina; party and social tension

Gigio falls in love with Caterina, who invites him and Luca to a party at her house. Caterina's friends laugh at them, triggering tension and a small fight. The event strains relationships within the group.

late phase Caterina's house
11

Police station confrontation

At the police station, Caterina belittles the group, calling them poor things and downplaying the kiss they shared. The moment foreshadows the emotional collapse that follows.

after the party Police station
12

Gigio's suicide and its aftermath

As a result of the humiliation and the drug-reduction issue, Gigio commits suicide. The event shatters the group and leads to intense self-recrimination, with blame aimed at multiple parties including Del Vecchio.

aftermath of party Near the police scene
13

Return to the old site with Del Vecchio's aid

The patients are moved back to the old site with Del Vecchio's assistance. Nello loses hope, fearing prison, but Del Vecchio's admission of improvements helps clear him. The incident effectively closes the case.

after Gigio's death Old site
14

Paris contract reinforces new direction

The cooperative wins a large contract in Paris to decorate stops on the new underground line. The Paris project represents a significant opportunity and validates their new business direction.

after old-site incident Paris
15

Six months later: leadership solidifies

Six months after starting the Paris project, Nello manages the group more effectively, balancing leadership with his relationship with Sara. Dr. Furlan brings in new partners with disabilities, signaling continued growth and inclusion.

six months later Paris

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:11

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Inspiring Community Stories like We Can Do That

Stories of unlikely groups coming together to build something meaningful against systemic challenges.If you enjoyed the cooperative spirit and collective journey in We Can Do That, you'll find similar hope and purpose in these movies. They showcase groups of people building something meaningful together against the odds, focusing on themes of empowerment, social change, and shared victories.

hopefulupliftingearnestdeterminedcommunitytriumphantreflective

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves an initial state of disarray or dysfunction within a group, which is then galvanized by a catalyst—often an outsider or a shared goal. The story progresses through setbacks and small wins, ultimately culminating in a significant achievement that validates the community's efforts and solidarity.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a core belief in the power of collective action. They mix earnest drama with a hopeful tone, creating an emotionally engaging experience that is both reflective and uplifting, centered on themes of systemic failure and social reintegration.

Movies with Bittersweet Triumphs like We Can Do That

Journeys where hard-won victories are shadowed by profound personal loss.For viewers who appreciated the blend of uplifting achievement and personal tragedy in We Can Do That, this collection features similar stories. These films balance hope with heartbreak, portraying characters who achieve their goals but not without paying a heavy emotional price, resulting in a deeply resonant experience.

bittersweettragichopefulupliftingresilientearnestreflectiveredemptive

Narrative Summary

The emotional journey follows a positive trajectory—a project succeeds, a community heals—but this upward path is punctuated by a major setback, often a personal tragedy like a death or betrayal. This event tempers the victory, making the finale feel earned and hopeful, yet deeply reflective and bittersweet.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their unique emotional blend: they are fundamentally hopeful stories that are not afraid to confront dark, tragic events. This creates a specific, resonant vibe that is more complex than pure optimism, appealing to viewers who appreciate realism and emotional depth in their dramas.

Unlock the Full Story of We Can Do That

Don't stop at just watching — explore We Can Do That in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what We Can Do That is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

We Can Do That Summary

Read a complete plot summary of We Can Do That, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

We Can Do That Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in We Can Do That

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape We Can Do That. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in We Can Do That

We Can Do That Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of We Can Do That that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

We Can Do That Spoiler-Free Summary

More About We Can Do That

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about We Can Do That: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About We Can Do That

Explore More About Movie We Can Do That

We Can Do That (2008) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

We Can Do That (2008) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

We Can Do That (2008) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow