Mid-August Lunch 2010

Gianni, portrayed by Gianni Di Gregorio, is a middle-aged man grappling with the struggle of making ends meet as he faces the burden of unpaid communal charges for his apartment. Living a somewhat mundane life, he spends his days either at home or frequenting a local wine bar. Not only is he unemployed, but he also bears the responsibility of caring for his 93-year-old mother, who is lively yet demanding, especially during Italy’s famous summer holiday, Ferragosto.

Residing together in a quaint apartment in the picturesque Trastevere district of Rome, Gianni’s strained relationship with his capricious mother adds further challenges to his already complicated life. Just a day before Ferragosto, Gianni’s landlord, Alfonso, pays him a visit to confront him about the debts he owes. In a bid to alleviate his financial worries, Gianni proposes an intriguing deal: he asks Alfonso to forgive his debts in exchange for looking after his elderly mother, Marina, overnight and during the following day’s festivities. Much to Gianni’s relief, Alfonso agrees to this arrangement.

Adding to the chaos, Alfonso persuades Gianni to also take care of his aunt Maria, who struggles with memory issues but possesses a talent for making delicious baked pasta. Though initially hesitant, Gianni is swayed by the promise of extra money. To complicate matters even further, Gianni’s friend, Dr. Marcello, also ropes him into caring for another elderly woman, Grazia, who normally receives care from someone else who is away for the holiday.

As the plot unfolds, Gianni finds himself navigating a series of humorous and challenging predicaments brought about by the diverse personalities of the four women he is now responsible for. Each character adds their unique flavor to the situation, making it a delightful mess. Preparing for the holiday proves to be an arduous task, yet amidst the chaos, the lunch celebrating Ferragosto unexpectedly transforms into a heartwarming occasion for everyone involved.

When the festivities draw to a close and it’s time for the women to depart, they generously offer Gianni a substantial sum of money to remain with him, a proposition that he gladly accepts, thus setting the stage for a memorable and charming end to his summer holiday.