An Average Little Man (1977) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A modest father's hopes for his family collapse into grief and vengeance, while the ending suggests that violence has not left him.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Father's Ambitions

Giovanni approaches retirement while building hopes for his son, Mario. He advises Mario about workplace humility and joins a Masonic lodge in hopes of gaining useful connections.

Key Events

• Giovanni Nears Retirement — Giovanni works as a modest white-collar employee and is nearing retirement. Characters: Giovanni Vivaldi Location: Public office in the capital
• Family Hopes for Mario — Giovanni and Amalia place high hopes in their newly qualified son. Characters: Giovanni Vivaldi, Amalia Vivaldi, Mario Vivaldi Location: The Vivaldi family home
• Giovanni Guides Mario — Giovanni advises Mario to be humble around workplace superiors. Characters: Giovanni Vivaldi, Mario Vivaldi Location: The Vivaldi family home
• A Lodge for Connections — Giovanni joins a lodge, hoping to gain friendships and favor for Mario. Characters: Giovanni Vivaldi Location: A Masonic lodge
• A Possible Office Position — Giovanni's efforts to get Mario hired in his office seem to be succeeding. Characters: Giovanni Vivaldi, Mario Vivaldi Location: Public office in the capital

The Family's Rupture

Giovanni's efforts seem close to success when he and Mario are caught in a robbery-related shootout. A stray bullet kills Mario, devastating his parents and changing Giovanni's life.

Key Events

• A Possible Office Position — Giovanni's efforts to get Mario hired in his office seem to be succeeding. Characters: Giovanni Vivaldi, Mario Vivaldi Location: Public office in the capital
• Robbery-Related Shootout — Giovanni and Mario are accidentally caught up in a shootout after a robbery. Characters: Giovanni Vivaldi, Mario Vivaldi Location: The site of a robbery
• Mario Is Killed — A stray bullet kills Mario during the shootout. Characters: Giovanni Vivaldi, Mario Vivaldi Location: The site of the shootout
• Amalia's Decline — After Mario's death, Amalia becomes ill, loses her voice, and is seriously handicapped. Characters: Amalia Vivaldi, Giovanni Vivaldi Location: The Vivaldi family home

Grief Becomes Vengeance

Amalia's health deteriorates after Mario's death. Giovanni identifies the killer, abducts him, and subjects him to torture that ends in the captive's slow death.

Key Events

• Amalia's Decline — After Mario's death, Amalia becomes ill, loses her voice, and is seriously handicapped. Characters: Amalia Vivaldi, Giovanni Vivaldi Location: The Vivaldi family home
• Giovanni Seeks the Killer — Grief and hatred drive Giovanni into an isolated quest to identify Mario's killer. Characters: Giovanni Vivaldi Location: Not specified
• Abduction to a Cabin — Giovanni abducts the man he identifies as his son's killer and takes him to a secluded cabin. Characters: Giovanni Vivaldi Location: A secluded cabin
• Torture and Violence — Giovanni tortures the captive, who eventually dies slowly. Characters: Giovanni Vivaldi Location: A secluded cabin

Retirement and Loss

Giovanni reaches his appointed retirement date, and Amalia dies the following day after being overcome by her disability. Giovanni seems prepared to accept old age with resignation.

Key Events

• Giovanni Retires — Giovanni reaches his appointed retirement date. Characters: Giovanni Vivaldi Location: Public office in the capital
• Amalia Dies — Amalia dies one day after Giovanni's retirement, overwhelmed by her disability. Characters: Giovanni Vivaldi, Amalia Vivaldi Location: The Vivaldi family home
• A Calm Acceptance — Giovanni appears ready to face old age with serenity and resignation. Characters: Giovanni Vivaldi Location: Not specified

The Threat Returns

A spontaneous verbal confrontation with a young idler disrupts Giovanni's apparent calm. The encounter revives his executioner role and leaves open the possibility of further violence.

Key Events

• A Calm Acceptance — Giovanni appears ready to face old age with serenity and resignation. Characters: Giovanni Vivaldi Location: Not specified
• Confrontation with a Youth — A verbal confrontation with a young idler revives Giovanni's executioner role and suggests he may kill again. Characters: Giovanni Vivaldi Location: Not specified

Story Breakdown

• Ordinary Family Life — Giovanni's routine centers on his public-office job and his family.
  • Nearing Retirement — Giovanni is a modest white-collar worker approaching retirement.
  • Shared Hopes — Giovanni and Amalia hope for a future for their son, Mario.
• Mario's Office Prospects — Giovanni tries to help his newly qualified son enter the same office.
  • Fatherly Advice — Giovanni teaches Mario to be humble around workplace superiors.
  • Lodge Connections — Giovanni joins a Masonic lodge hoping to gain useful friendships and favor.
• The Fatal Shootout — A robbery-related shootout unexpectedly brings violence into the Vivaldis' lives.
  • Caught by Chance — Giovanni and Mario are accidentally involved in the shootout.
  • Stray Bullet — Mario is killed by a stray bullet.
• Grief at Home — Mario's death transforms the family's lives and Giovanni's outlook.
  • Amalia's Disability — Amalia becomes ill, loses her voice, and is seriously handicapped.
  • Giovanni's Hatred — Giovanni's grief and hatred lead him into an isolated quest.
• Vengeance in Seclusion — Giovanni acts on his grief after identifying his son's killer.
  • The Abduction — Giovanni takes the identified killer to a secluded cabin.
  • Violent Retribution — Giovanni tortures the captive, who eventually dies slowly.
• Retirement and Bereavement — Giovanni's working life ends as Amalia's life also comes to an end.
  • Retirement Date — Giovanni reaches his appointed retirement date.
  • Amalia's Death — Amalia dies the day after his retirement, overcome by her disability.
• Violence Reawakened — Giovanni's apparent acceptance is unsettled by a confrontation.
  • A Young Idler — Giovanni has a spontaneous verbal confrontation with a young idler.
  • An Open Threat — The encounter revives Giovanni's executioner role and suggests he may kill again.

Directed by

Mario Monicelli

Key Cast

• Alberto Sordi — Giovanni Vivaldi
• Shelley Winters — Amalia Vivaldi
• Vincenzo Crocitti — Mario Vivaldi
• Romolo Valli — Dott. Spaziani
• Paolo Paoloni — collega di Vivaldi