A group of friends have formed a surrogate family unit in present day Rome. There is the married couple with children, the gay couple and one of their exes, the sarcastic mother hen and her husband, the young attractive woman who may have a problem with drugs, and the newcomer Paolo. They meet regularly for dinner parties and despite the fact that they appear mis-matched, they have developed a strong bond of loyalty. When tragedy strikes and secrets become exposed the strength of the group is tested. The large ensemble cast is compelling and writer/director Ozpetek (Steam: The Turkish Bath, Facing Windows) maneuvers from character to character and story to story with a deft touch.