It is based on several short stories collected in Racconti romani by Alberto Moravia.

[1][2] The film won two David di Donatello Awards, for best director and best producer.

They're Mario, Alvaro and Otello, aided by a trickster, Professor Semprini, who claims to be a great intellectual.

Indeed, Alvaro, Mario and Otello are arrested, after being deceived by Semprini, who demands from them a payment for the design of the plan.

In fact the three first attempt to pass off counterfeit notes, then pretend to be guards from the vice squad in Villa Borghese.