Compagni di scuola

Plot

Federica Polidori, a charming thirty-five-year-old, throws a party with her former high school classmates at her luxurious villa near Rome. The reunion quickly takes a melancholic turn: many of the former classmates reveal their frustrations and the failures life has brought them in the fifteen years since graduating high school; their personal stories intertwine over the course of the party.

During the party, his classmates discover Ruffolo's affair with his student Cristina. Valenzani pressures him to bring his young lover to the party, while Maria Rita suggests he leave his wife, who is making him unhappy. While Ruffolo goes to leave his wife Cinzia, Valenzani abuses Cristina.

Meanwhile, Ciardulli discovers that Santolamazza isn't actually paralyzed after a car accident, but that it was a prank planned by him and Lepore. So, he organizes a counter-prank on Santolamazza, causing an accident that, in addition to exposing him, will cause him to suffer various injuries.

Upon his return, Ruffolo discovers that Valenzani has raped Cristina and attacks him. The politician is saved by his escort and, to the scorn of his other friends, leaves, vowing to ruin Ruffolo's career. Maria Rita escorts Cristina home, where she decides to leave both Ruffolo and the school.

At dawn, only a few of the classmates remain, and Federica reveals to them that her lover has left her, and that the check she wrote to Bruno is therefore unpaid (this statement will lead Ciardulli to believe that, probably, she was the one who stole the money from Finocchiaro). She also reveals that the party was her last chance to do something nice at her ex's villa, from which she was evicted. Attenni suggests she can go away with him, but she will accept Gloria's hospitality in exchange for help with the baby.

Before leaving, Attenni takes a group photo with the few remaining members, the "best" of the group. As his former schoolmates walk away, Ruffolo reflects on his shattered life, indulging in a liberating cigarette.

Cast

Carlo Verdone as Piero Ruffolo, a literature teacher at a private high school. He is oppressed by his vulgar and annoying wife Cinzia and her father. Beset by misfortune, he endures all sorts of troubles throughout the day and is tormented by his overly jealous wife over the phone. He has an affair with his young student Cristina.

Nancy Brilli as Federica Polidori, who hosts the party at her villa, where she lives supported by a wealthy, elderly lover. A melancholic and elegant woman, she finds great joy in reuniting with her former schoolmates and is very helpful to them, as when she lends her car to Ruffolo or when she writes a large check to Ciardulli.

Christian De Sica as Bruno Ciardulli, aka Tony Brando (or Mike Foster), a failed singer burdened by debts. Hopelessly immature, he spends the whole evening trying to gather money or help from his ex-companions, going so far as to humiliate himself in front of everyone by begging on his knees.

Angelo Bernabucci as Walter Finocchiaro, a stereotype of the Roman nouveau riche. Vulgar and boastful, he made his fortune through the wholesale meat trade; he demeans his former mates with humiliating jokes and is the victim of a theft during the party.

Massimo Ghini as Mauro Valenzani, a well-known politician. He shows up at the reunion accompanied by his security detail and proves to be cynical, cruel, and a cocaine addict.

Eleonora Giorgi as Valeria Donati, a charming journalist and Luca's ex-wife. As soon as she sees him again at the party, she wants to leave, but Federica convinces her to stay. During the course of the party, she will end up getting closer to her ex-husband again.

Athina Cenci as Maria Rita Amoroso, a melancholic psychologist. She is extremely devoted to her work and throughout the party she tries to solve her friends' problems, who however do not care about hers.

Natasha Hovey as Cristina, Ruffolo's young student and his lover.