Don't Be Bad (2015) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Two close friends struggle to escape drugs and illegal activity, but their attempts at change lead to different outcomes.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Ostia's Drug-Fueled Routine

Cesare and Vittorio are introduced as close friends involved in illegal activities and recreational drugs. Cesare's home life includes his mother and his sick niece.

Key Events

• Ostia, 1995 — The story begins in Ostia in 1995, where Cesare and Vittorio have a longstanding bond. Characters: Cesare, Vittorio Location: Ostia
• A Brother-Like Bond — Their longstanding friendship is described as closer to brotherhood than ordinary friendship. Characters: Cesare, Vittorio Location: Ostia
• Illegal Activities — Both are involved with acquaintances in illegal activities. Characters: Cesare, Vittorio Location: Ostia
• Drugs and Escape — They consume and sell recreational drugs while rejecting a working life. Characters: Cesare, Vittorio Location: Ostia
• Cesare's Household — Cesare lives with his mother and his ill niece, whose mother died of AIDS. Characters: Cesare, Cesare Location: Cesare's home
• Vittorio Takes Pills — Vittorio takes several pills before experiencing a series of hallucinations. Characters: Vittorio Location: Ostia

Vittorio Chooses Change

After taking pills and experiencing hallucinations, Vittorio decides to change his life. He finds construction work and tries to persuade Cesare to change with him.

Key Events

• Vittorio Takes Pills — Vittorio takes several pills before experiencing a series of hallucinations. Characters: Vittorio Location: Ostia
• Hallucinations — The hallucinations prompt Vittorio to decide to change his life. Characters: Vittorio Location: Ostia
• Construction Work — Vittorio finds work at a construction site as he attempts to change course. Characters: Vittorio Location: Construction site
• Vittorio Reaches Out — Vittorio tries to bring Cesare into his new life and help him change too. Characters: Cesare, Vittorio Location: Ostia
• Difficult Adjustment — Their attempt at a new life faces difficulties, including the repercussions of drug use. Characters: Cesare, Vittorio Location: Ostia
• Debora's Death — Cesare's ill young niece dies, adding to the difficulties of his attempted change. Characters: Cesare Location: Ostia

Fragile New Beginnings

Drug repercussions and Debora's death complicate the attempt to build a more normal life. Cesare becomes engaged to Viviana, while Vittorio moves in with Linda and her son.

Key Events

• Debora's Death — Cesare's ill young niece dies, adding to the difficulties of his attempted change. Characters: Cesare Location: Ostia
• A More Normal Life — Despite setbacks, the two begin to adapt to a more normal life. Characters: Cesare, Vittorio Location: Ostia
• Cesare and Viviana — Cesare becomes engaged to Viviana, who was formerly Vittorio's girlfriend. Characters: Cesare, Viviana Location: Ostia
• Vittorio Lives with Linda — Vittorio goes to live with Linda as he continues building a more ordinary life. Characters: Vittorio, Linda Location: Linda's home
• A Household with Tommaso — Vittorio lives with Linda and her son Tommaso. Characters: Vittorio, Linda Location: Linda's home
• Old Desires Return — Cesare cannot completely suppress his desire to return to his former life. Characters: Cesare Location: Ostia

The Cost of Returning

Cesare remains unable to fully leave his former life behind and dies after a store owner shoots him during a failed robbery. One year later, Vittorio meets Viviana and her son, Cesare Jr.

Key Events

• Old Desires Return — Cesare cannot completely suppress his desire to return to his former life. Characters: Cesare Location: Ostia
• Failed Robbery — Cesare attempts a robbery that fails. Characters: Cesare Location: Store
• Cesare Is Shot — During the failed robbery, the store owner shoots Cesare, who dies. Characters: Cesare Location: Store
• One Year Later — A year after Cesare's death, Vittorio meets Viviana. Characters: Vittorio, Viviana Location: Ostia
• Cesare Jr. — Viviana is with her son, named Cesare Jr. after his late father. Characters: Vittorio, Viviana Location: Ostia

Story Breakdown

• Ostia and Friendship — Cesare and Vittorio begin as longtime friends caught up in a drug-involved life.
  • Brother-Like Bond — Their friendship is described as closer to brotherhood than ordinary friendship.
  • Illegal Activities — Both take part in illegal activities with their acquaintances.
• Drugs and Routine — The friends consume and sell recreational drugs while resisting a working life.
  • Drug Consumption — Drug use forms part of their everyday circumstances.
  • Rejected Work — They initially refuse the life of workers.
• Cesare's Family — Cesare lives with his mother and his ill niece, whose mother died of AIDS.
  • Shared Household — Cesare lives with his mother.
  • Debora's Illness — His niece is ill before her death.
• Vittorio Changes Course — A drug-related experience pushes Vittorio to pursue a different way of life.
  • Hallucinations — After taking several pills, Vittorio experiences hallucinations.
  • Construction Job — Vittorio finds work at a construction site.
• Cesare Resists Change — Vittorio tries to bring Cesare into his new life, but the transition is difficult.
  • Attempted Support — Vittorio tries to help Cesare change as well.
  • Drug Repercussions — The new life is complicated by the effects of drug use.
• Loss and New Bonds — Debora dies as the friends begin adapting to a more normal life, and new domestic relationships take shape.
  • Debora's Death — The death of Cesare's ill niece adds to the hardships.
  • Viviana and Cesare — Cesare becomes engaged to Viviana, Vittorio's former girlfriend.
• Vittorio's New Home — Vittorio moves in with Linda and her son as he continues to rebuild his life.
  • Living with Linda — Vittorio goes to live with Linda.
  • Tommaso's Household — Linda's son Tommaso is part of the household.
• Cesare's Fatal Return — Cesare cannot fully suppress his desire to return to his former life, and a failed robbery ends in his death.
  • Failed Robbery — Cesare attempts a robbery that fails.
  • Fatal Shooting — A store owner shoots Cesare during the attempt, and Cesare dies.
• One Year Later — The story closes with Vittorio meeting Viviana and her son after Cesare's death.
  • Vittorio Meets Viviana — They meet again one year after Cesare's death.
  • Cesare Jr. — Viviana's son is named after his late father.

Directed by

Claudio Caligari

Key Cast

• Luca Marinelli — Cesare
• Alessandro Borghi — Vittorio
• Silvia D'Amico — Viviana
• Roberta Mattei — Linda
• Alessandro Bernardini — Brutto