Two linen fabric dealers with their shops close to one another, battle against each other for more and more costumers. Umberto constantly loses clients because of the tough competition brought by Leone, who offers the best prices in the neighborhood. But they leave differences aside when the rise of Fascism places Anti-Semitic politics which rigidly control business like the one conducted by the Jewish Leone, and those new regulations are viewed by Umberto as completely unfair. The long rivalry soon becomes a great friendship.
Diego Abatantuono
as Umberto
Sergio Castellitto
as Leone
Gérard Depardieu
as Professor Angelo
Antonella Attili
as Giuditta Della Rocca
Claudio Bigagli
as Ispettore polizia
Elio Germano
as Paolo
Sabrina Impacciatore
as Matilde
Rolando Ravello
as Ignazietto
Gioia Spaziani
as Susanna Della Rocca
Anita Zagaria
as Margherita Melchiorri
Simone Ascani
as Lele Della Rocca
Walter Dragonetti
as Pietruccio Melchiorri / voce narrante
