In spite of his often lucid assessments of modern society, Iacovoni is a typically burned-out teacher whom his job (perhaps among other, undisclosed personal experiences) has imbued with bitterness and social resentment, with a sheer lack of perspective concerning human relations, and with an overbearing, holier-than-thou demeanor that is a major plot point throughout the movie.

He relocates his daughter Caterina and his timid, long-suffering wife Agata to his birthplace, Rome, after having finally secured a long-coveted teaching position.

Daniela's father is a right-wing government minister (loosely inspired by real politician Gianfranco Fini) who married into a wealthy family.

He was fired due to hitting a student who was mocking his TV performance and lost his job, leading him to his visit with Signor Germano.

This is one of the first moments in the movie where Caterina's mother shows her stress and unhappiness by screaming and smashing plates on the floor.

Unaware that her husband is listening, Agata concedes to Fabietto that she wants to leave Giancarlo but is unable because she doesn't think he could make it on his own.

Upon hearing this, Giancarlo then rides off on his motorcycle and is never heard of again; as phrased by Caterina, he "doesn't bother our family more, we like to think he's in a place that's making him happy".

The website's consensus reads: "This witty movie succeeds as both a modest teen coming-of-age story and a satirical microcosm of Italy's political climate.