Eager to Live 1953

In a glittering city, Massimo lives a life of luxury that hides a mounting pile of debts and a network of shady dealings in the racing hall he runs. To keep up appearances, he leans on usurers and moves among a coterie of snobbish, idle youths who share his appetite for style over substance. His partner, Elena, loves him, but Massimo has little hesitation about betraying her. His friend Daniele, released from prison though innocent, learns that Massimo, to pocket a derisory sum, bribed the lawyer who defended him and helped orchestrate his conviction.

Elena is pregnant, and a scam uncovered in the racing hall creates new headaches for Massimo. To silence Daniele, Massimo arranges a meeting with Lucia, Daniele’s ex-girlfriend, but Lucia has moved on and no longer trusts that old flame. In a bid to ward off Elena’s pressure, Massimo manipulates a young friend, Sandro, into taking responsibility for the pregnancy and turning to his parents for help. This leads to Elena being handed over to an unscrupulous doctor who agrees to have her aborted.

When Sandro realizes he has been used and tries to resist, a confrontation erupts and Sandro is killed—struck down by Massimo. To make the death look like a suicide, Massimo dumps the body from a window, and Lucia, despite her love for him, denounces him and has him arrested. Meanwhile, Elena escapes the doctor’s clutches and resolves to keep the pregnancy, while Daniele, unwilling to concede defeat, confesses to Lucia that he still loves her and that he will wait for her.