A Woman as a Friend 2014

Francesco De Biase, Fabio De Luigi, is a thoughtful lawyer who shares a very close friendship with Claudia Casamacchia, Laetitia Casta, a veterinarian with French roots. One day, Giovanni, Adriano Giannini, bursts into Claudia’s life and marries her in a rushed gesture. However, Claudia’s new husband proves violent, and she seeks refuge at Francesco’s home, while Francesco is about to move in with Lia, Valentina Lodovini, a colleague of hers who is preparing to join them.

Francesco soon discovers that a purely platonic friendship between a man and a woman is more fragile than he expected, and he begins to lie to Lia about his relationship with Claudia. After Claudia leaves her husband, a drunken moment leads to a kiss with Francesco. Feeling guilty, he then allows himself a night with Luca, Flavio Montrucchio, a former schoolmate. Francesco, who happens to see Claudia leaving a room dressed up, follows her and observes her at a difficult moment, and he concludes that it’s time to sever ties with Claudia for good.

Some time later, Francesco’s secretary announces the arrival of a young woman posing as his new secretary: Anna, Valeria Solarino, Claudia’s sister who has just emerged from rehab and who had been promised a position in his studio. Anna hands him Claudia’s postcard, announcing that Claudia has returned to Paris with her mother, but Francesco wants nothing to do with her anymore. He gives the girl his last money and, following her guidance, goes to enjoy an ice cream by the seaside, where he unexpectedly meets Giulia, Miriam Dalmazio.

Seven years pass, and Francesco dozes in an airport waiting area when Claudia reappears. She playfully disturbs him as he sleeps, and a little girl—Francesco’s daughter, Emma Blasi—arrives, showing wary eyes toward Claudia. Claudia’s mother, Giulia, also appears with another baby in her care, and the two women hurry to catch their plane, leaving Francesco with a complicated mix of memories and unresolved feelings.