The Salt of Life

From the moment he retired, Gianni has been put to work in his household as a sort of girl Friday: his wife sends him shopping and checks how much he spends, his daughter and her boyfriend request various services, and no one is interested in his opinion about anything. His old and highly egocentric mother spends most of her time at her luxurious home playing poker with her girlfriends while squandering her son’s money on a live-in caretaker and champagne. Gianni bares everything with patience, takes the dog out for walks, and resignedly accepts the prospect of old age. But then one day two of his male peers confide that retirement has unexpected pleasures: they both have young lovers, confirming the fact that one’s erotic life needn’t end despite growing older. Gianni listens to their advice somewhat naïvely and accepts his friends’ help, but despite their large acquaintance of available women he fails to achieve their successes. But things aren’t over yet.... (Karlovy Vary International Film Festival)