The Price of Family 2022

Comedy

Runtime

90 mins

Language

Italian

Directed by

Giovanni Bognetti

Made by

Indiana Production

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The Price of Family Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Price of Family (2022). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

After twenty-five years, the Delle Fave family splits up: the children, Alessandra Delle Fave and Emilio Delle Fave, leave their small town for the city, leaving their parents, Carlo Delle Fave and Anna Delle Fave, behind. The move marks a widening gulf as the kids throw themselves into new urban lives, and contact with their homeland grows scarce. They don’t even attend old Aunt Tea’s funeral, and Alessandra misses a birthday celebration at the family home, setting a chilly tone for what follows.

The parents try to bridge the gap with bold, almost desperate visits to the city, only to be met with cool reception from their children, who bluntly tell them they won’t be coming home for Christmas. Frustration grows on both sides, and the rift deepens into a strain of pride and stubbornness that threatens the family’s unity.

Annoyed and frustrated by their attitude, Carlo and Anna decide to cobble back some semblance of connection by fabricating a far-fetched inheritance. They pretend to have inherited six million euros from Aunt Tea, hoping the news will lure their children back. The ruse works only long enough for the illusion of wealth to do its job, as the children start reconnecting with their parents and accepting lavish gifts, drawn by the appearance of financial security they had not expected to see. Yet behind the glossy presents lies a fragile truth: the couple’s bank account is dangerously close to bankruptcy, and the deception could unravel at any moment.

On a turning point, Carlo returns to Emilio to tell the truth, while Anna does the same with Alessandra. Their intentions are muddled by sentiment, and in the end Carlo finds himself promising Emilio a substantial sum of money to help him get back on his feet and consider a different line of work. At the same time, Anna brings her daughter back home after Alessandra’s partner, Rocco, leaves, a development that stirs more questions about the family’s stability and loyalties. Alessandra asks for funding to launch her own business, and the parents reluctantly agree, trying to salvage something of their previously shared dreams for their children.

All the while, Anna and Carlo face a harsher reality: without real financial support from their bank, they stage a larger deception. Anna lies that Carlo suffers from a rare disease requiring expensive treatment, a narrative that involves costly trips and private facilities across Europe and the United States. The children, recognizing the strain in their parents’ stories, choose to renounce their inheritance shares in solidarity, opting to stay close to their father during his supposed treatment.

The deception reaches a peak when the parents pretend to depart for Paris for a critical medical appointment, communicated through a video call. Yet Emilio uncovers the lie, finding them still at home and exposed. The truth fractures the fragile truce that had formed, and the bond with their children shatters further as distrust settles in. Grief and anger push the family toward their grandmother for comfort; the wise and steady presence of Giuliana offers a moment of reflection and a chance for the two younger people to reassess their own selfish attitudes.

In a quiet, unspoken turn, the family discovers that Giuliana had indeed inherited a substantial sum from Aunt Tea, money that had remained hidden from everyone for years. This revelation, paired with the grandmother’s measured guidance, helps the family reframe what truly matters. The story closes on a note of reconciliation, with the Delle Fave family slowly rebuilding trust and choosing to face the future together, rather than through hollow schemes or hollow promises.

The Price of Family Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of The Price of Family (2022) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Family splits: Alessandra and Emilio move to the city

After twenty-five years in the same town, Alessandra and Emilio leave for the city, seeking new lives away from their parents. Carlo and Anna stay behind, adjusting to a quieter, less connected routine. The distance between generations begins to widen as the children establish their own paths.

twenty-five years later Small town

A growing disconnect and skipped family events

Within a few months, Alessandra and Emilio limit contact with their parents. They skip Aunt Tea's funeral and Alessandra misses her birthday at the family home, signaling a deepening estrangement. The family starts to drift apart emotionally and physically.

a few months after moving to the city City

Parents attempt to reconnect with an unwelcome reception

Carlo and Anna visit the city unannounced to reconnect with their children but are poorly received. The kids bluntly tell them they will not be coming home for Christmas. The gap between generations grows wider as old ties fray.

shortly after the failed attempt City

Lies to secure a reunion: inheritance ruse

Desperate for a reconciliation, the parents fabricate an inheritance from Aunt Tea, claiming six million euros have been left to them. They hope this illusion will draw the children back into the family fold. The deception marks a turning point in the family's dynamics.

after the failed visit City

Gifts and a facade of wealth

The children begin to reconnect, drawn by the possibility of wealth rather than genuine affection. Carlo and Anna shower them with expensive gifts, creating the illusion of a luxurious life. Yet the couple's bank balance rapidly dwindles as the lie grows more costly.

over the next few days City

Truth comes out: Carlo confesses; money promised

Carlo goes back to Emilio to tell him there is no real inheritance and no six million euros. He explains the ruse and the motive behind it. Despite the deception, Carlo ends up promising Emilio a substantial amount of money to help him get back on his feet and change jobs.

a few days after the initial lies City

Anna brings Alessandra home after a breakup

Meanwhile, Anna brings her daughter Alessandra back home after she is left by her partner, Rocco. The domestic stability provides a counterpoint to the earlier tensions. This move re-centers the family dynamics for a moment.

soon after the deception begins Home

Alessandra seeks funding for a business

Alessandra asks her parents for funding to start her own business, hoping to build independence. They reluctantly agree, trying to support her ambitions while balancing their strained finances. The exchange highlights the thin line between generosity and desperation.

after Alessandra returns home Home

A new lie: Carlo's supposed rare disease

Without no real bank support, Anna lies about Carlo having a rare disease that requires expensive treatment. The ruse involves trips and stays in private facilities in France and the United States. The children decide to renounce their inheritance to stay close to their father during the supposed treatment.

time of the medical ruse Home, with imagined trips to Paris and the United States

Emilio uncovers the truth

The parents pretend to leave for Paris for an important medical appointment via video call, but Emilio finds them at home instead. The deception unravels and trust collapses further. The family is left to confront the consequences of their actions.

during the supposed Paris trip Home

Parents admit their lies

Carlo and Anna finally admit that their stories were fabrications. The revelation devastates the children and shatters the fragile sense of trust that had formed. The family begins to look elsewhere for guidance and healing.

after Emilio discovers the truth Home

Grandmother Giuliana offers counsel

The couple seek comfort from their grandmother Giuliana, who encourages the siblings to reflect on their selfish attitudes. She reminds them of the money Aunt Tea had left behind, hinting at deeper family dynamics at play. The scene shifts the focus from money to family values, prompting introspection.

following the admission Grandmother Giuliana's home

Revelation of Aunt Tea's inheritance

The siblings learn that Giuliana had indeed inherited a large sum from Aunt Tea, a fact previously unknown to the family. This discovery reframes the motives behind the earlier inheritance lie. It also changes how they view Giuliana's role and their own place in the family.

during the period of reflection Grandmother's home

Siblings reassess values and begin reconciliation

With truths laid bare, Alessandra and Emilio reassess their priorities and recognize the harm their selfish actions caused. They begin to see each other not as obstacles to a fortune but as family. The emotional walls slowly start to soften as they consider rebuilding trust.

after the revelation Family home

Family reunites

The family slowly comes back together, choosing mutual support over self-interest. They acknowledge past mistakes and commit to a more honest, connected relationship going forward. The story closes on a note of renewed family bonds and shared resilience.

eventually Family home

The Price of Family Characters

Explore all characters from The Price of Family (2022). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Carlo Delle Fave (Christian De Sica)

Patriarch of the Delle Fave family who feels the strain of his children’s growing distance. To reel them back in, he and Anna fabricate a six-million euro inheritance, showing both his willingness to go to extreme lengths and his desire to protect the family image. His deception backfires emotionally, revealing his vulnerability and stubborn pride. By the end, he confronts the consequences while still clinging to a hope for reconciliation.

👨‍👩‍👦 Family 💸 Inheritance 🤔 Pride

Anna Delle Fave (Angela Finocchiaro)

Mother who participates in the ruse to bring her children back home, showing pragmatism and longing for family closeness. She orchestrates the deception about Carlo's supposed illness and later shares the truth when pressed. Her actions reveal a mix of devotion and moral compromise, and she faces the consequences of the lie while seeking reconciliation.

🧭 Morality 💸 Inheritance 👩‍👧 Family

Alessandra Delle Fave (Dharma Mangia Woods)

Daughter who moved to the city, pursuing independence and aims to start her own business. She reconnects with her parents under tense circumstances, balancing practical ambition with a sense of family duty. Alessandra embodies a modern, entrepreneurial spirit while still craving support and belonging.

💼 Ambition 🏙️ City life 🌱 Growth

Emilio Delle Fave (Claudio Colica)

Son who left the family for the city, initially distant and emotionally guarded. He engages with his parents’ deception cautiously but remains open to returning to a healthier relationship. Emilio shows a willingness to support the family during hardship, illustrating restrained reconciliation and loyalty.

🏙️ City life 🗣️ Communication 🧭 Reconciliation

Giuliana (Fioretta Mari)

Grandmother and steady guiding force who helps the younger generation reflect on their selfish attitudes. She reveals she had inherited a large sum of money, adding irony to the idea that true value lies beyond wealth. Giuliana provides emotional grounding and facilitates the eventual family reconciliation.

🧓 Wisdom 💎 Hidden Wealth 👵 Grandparent Guidance

Rocco (Francesco Marioni)

Anna's partner who left her, a backstory catalyst for the family’s stress and emotional history. His absence shapes the daughters’ outlook on relationships and stability, serving as a reminder of the consequences of broken promises. While not central to the resolution, his presence looms over the family’s attempts at repair.

💔 Heartbreak 🕰️ Backstory

The Price of Family Settings

Learn where and when The Price of Family (2022) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

Contemporary (early 21st century)

The events unfold in a present-day setting, leveraging modern technology like video calls to stage the deception and coordinate plans across borders. The plot centers on current concerns—inheritance, career ambitions, and health costs—within a family drama. The story juxtaposes traditional home life with cosmopolitan environments to highlight tensions between roots and mobility.

Location

Italy (small town), Paris, France, United States

The story centers in a quiet Italian town where Carlo and Anna maintain their family home, contrasting humble roots with the lure of urban life. Their children Alessandra and Emilio move to the city, testing family ties across distance. The plot travels to Paris for medical treatment and to the United States for private care, highlighting how wealth and health intersect with family dynamics.

🏡 Italian town 🌆 City life ✈️ International travel

The Price of Family Themes

Discover the main themes in The Price of Family (2022). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🕊️

Family Bonds

The Delle Fave family is tightly knit but fractured by distance and pride. The parents’ plan to reclaim their children through deceit reveals both affection and fragility in their relationships. Reconciliation arrives only after honesty, reflection, and the influence of the grandmother.

🔎

Deception and Truth

A game of appearances drives the plot as a supposed six-million-euro inheritance temptation prompts the kids to reconnect. The lie about Carlo’s illness and the later revelation expose moral compromises and the costs of keeping up appearances. The turning point comes when the truth surfaces and reshapes trust within the family.

🌱

Reconciliation and Growth

The near-rupture becomes a catalyst for personal and familial growth. Giuliana’s guidance helps the younger generation reassess their selfish attitudes. The discovery of hidden wealth adds irony to the idea of true value, and the ending suggests that reconciliation is possible when honesty and care replace pride.

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The Price of Family Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of The Price of Family (2022). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In a quiet Italian town where traditions linger long after the last festival lights are taken down, a family finds itself at a crossroads. The Delle Fave household, once bustling with the laughter of three generations, now echoes with the silence left by its grown‑up children who have built new lives in the distant city. As Christmas approaches—a season that once promised reunion and warmth—the parents grapple with the ache of being forgotten, their home yearning for the liveliness that once defined it.

Carlo and Anna, the steadfast yet increasingly lonely parents, share a bond forged over decades of shared toil and love. Their relationship, seasoned with gentle humor and unspoken sacrifices, is tested by the growing distance of their son Emilio and daughter Alessandra. Both children, ambitious and absorbed in their urban pursuits, have drifted away, rarely returning for family milestones. The parents’ desperation is softened by a tender longing to see their children under one roof again, especially for the holiday that once stitched their family together.

Motivated by this yearning, the couple devises a delicate ruse: they claim to have inherited a sizable fortune from the late Tea, an aunt whose passing barely stirred the family. The whispered promise of unexpected wealth becomes a tempting beacon, coaxing the estranged siblings back toward home. This scheme sets the stage for a heartfelt comedy‑drama that balances the warmth of familial love with the nervous flutter of deception, all wrapped in the festive glow of an impending Christmas.

The film’s tone walks a fine line between gentle melancholy and bright optimism, inviting viewers to reflect on the lengths people will go to reclaim lost connections. It paints a portrait of a family caught between past loyalties and present ambitions, hinting that even the most fragile bonds may find a way to mend when hope and a little bit of fiction are in the mix.