I'll Be Going Now (1991) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A former psychiatric patient rebuilds a fragile family bond with his granddaughter before accepting that love cannot prevent her independence.

Story Structure — 6 Plot Phases

An Unstable Homecoming

Augusto returns to Rome after eighteen years in a psychiatric clinic and enters Carla's complicated household. He finds unexpected warmth in Rosa but struggles with ordinary social situations.

Key Events

• Augusto Leaves the Clinic — After eighteen years in a psychiatric clinic, Augusto returns home under Carla's care. Characters: Augusto Scribani, Carla Location: Rome
• A Strange Household — Augusto enters a household shared by Carla, Giorgio, and the children. Characters: Augusto Scribani, Carla, Giorgio, Rosa Location: Carla's home
• Rosa Meets Her Grandfather — Lonely and bullied, Rosa quickly forms a bond with the grandfather she never knew. Characters: Augusto Scribani, Rosa Location: Carla's home
• Bank Recognition — Augusto visits the bank to pay bills and is welcomed by people who recognize him. Characters: Augusto Scribani, Ines Location: A large bank
• The Former Secretary's Detour — Ines offers Augusto a ride, takes him to her flat, cooks lunch, and offers herself. Characters: Augusto Scribani, Ines Location: Ines's flat
• Augusto Flees the Flat — Augusto reacts to Ines's advance by fleeing her flat. Characters: Augusto Scribani, Ines Location: Ines's flat

Old Status, New Disorder

Augusto is recognized at the bank, but his former secretary's advance and his disruption of Giorgio's party expose his difficulty returning to social life. A television invitation briefly offers him public recognition.

Key Events

• The Business Drinks Party — Carla and Giorgio host business associates while Augusto wanders in looking for a magazine. Characters: Augusto Scribani, Carla, Giorgio Location: Carla's home
• The Insulted Client Leaves — Augusto insults one of Giorgio's clients, who leaves the party in disgust. Characters: Augusto Scribani, Giorgio, Carla Location: Carla's home
• The Television Invitation — A psychiatrist who hosts a television show invites Augusto to appear. Characters: Augusto Scribani, Carla, Giorgio Location: The party at Carla's home
• Alcide Reappears — Before the show, Augusto meets Alcide, an old roommate from the clinic. Characters: Augusto Scribani, Alcide Location: A bar
• The Show Is Disrupted — Augusto and Alcide rudely disrupt the broadcast, which is hastily pulled. Characters: Augusto Scribani, Alcide Location: A television studio

The Failed Broadcast

Augusto reunites with Alcide before the television appearance. Their rude disruption causes the program to be pulled and deepens Carla and Giorgio's alarm.

Key Events

• The Show Is Disrupted — Augusto and Alcide rudely disrupt the broadcast, which is hastily pulled. Characters: Augusto Scribani, Alcide Location: A television studio
• The Household Watches — Carla and Giorgio watch the failed broadcast and become further disturbed by Augusto's behavior. Characters: Carla, Giorgio, Augusto Scribani, Alcide Location: Carla's home
• Carnival Costumes — Rosa's school holds a carnival party in fancy dress, and Augusto goes to bring her home. Characters: Rosa, Augusto Scribani Location: Rosa's school

A Night in the Streets

During carnival, Augusto takes Rosa home and instead wanders with her through Rome. Their encounter with a homeless man becomes intimate and unsettling when Rosa falls asleep.

Key Events

• Carnival Costumes — Rosa's school holds a carnival party in fancy dress, and Augusto goes to bring her home. Characters: Rosa, Augusto Scribani Location: Rosa's school
• A Homeless Encounter — Augusto and Rosa encounter a homeless man while wandering through the streets. Characters: Augusto Scribani, Rosa Location: Rome streets
• Warmth at the Bar — They take the homeless man into a bar for conversation and a warming drink. Characters: Augusto Scribani, Rosa Location: A bar
• Rosa Falls Asleep — After drinking red wine, the tired Rosa falls asleep, and Augusto carries her home much later. Characters: Augusto Scribani, Rosa Location: Rome streets
• Carla Threatens Recommitment — Carla attacks Augusto and threatens to have him sent back to the psychiatric clinic. Characters: Augusto Scribani, Carla, Rosa Location: Carla's home

Escape and Separation

Carla threatens Augusto with recommittal, prompting his flight to Alcide's farmhouse. Rosa follows him, but a police search returns them home and separates them through boarding school.

Key Events

• Carla Threatens Recommitment — Carla attacks Augusto and threatens to have him sent back to the psychiatric clinic. Characters: Augusto Scribani, Carla, Rosa Location: Carla's home
• Flight to Alcide's Farmhouse — To avoid recommittal, Augusto runs away to Alcide's farmhouse and leaves his address with Rosa. Characters: Augusto Scribani, Alcide Location: Alcide's farmhouse
• Rosa Joins Augusto — After threats of boarding school, Rosa follows the address and joins Augusto at the farmhouse. Characters: Augusto Scribani, Rosa, Alcide Location: Alcide's farmhouse
• The Police Find Them — A police search traces the missing man and child, and both are taken home. Characters: Augusto Scribani, Rosa, Alcide Location: Alcide's farmhouse
• Rosa Is Sent Away — Rosa is sent to boarding school, while Augusto eventually finds a room of his own. Characters: Rosa, Carla, Augusto Scribani Location: A boarding school

Learning to Let Go

Months later, Augusto visits Rosa and sees that her emotional world is changing. He accepts that she must grow independently, leaving him alone.

Key Events

• Rosa Is Sent Away — Rosa is sent to boarding school, while Augusto eventually finds a room of his own. Characters: Rosa, Carla, Augusto Scribani Location: A boarding school
• A Changed Affection — Months later, Rosa still loves Augusto but now focuses her affections on a handsome young cousin. Characters: Augusto Scribani, Rosa Location: The boarding school
• Augusto Accepts Solitude — Augusto realizes Rosa must grow into her own life and that he will remain on his own. Characters: Augusto Scribani, Rosa Location: The boarding school

Story Breakdown

• Augusto's Return — Augusto reenters Roman family life after eighteen years in a psychiatric clinic.
  • Leaving the Clinic — Augusto returns to Rome under Carla's care.
  • Unfamiliar Household — He encounters Carla, Giorgio, and the children at home.
• Rosa's Attachment — Rosa discovers an emotional connection with the grandfather she never knew.
  • Lonely Grandchild — Rosa is bright, lonely, and bullied.
  • Growing Bond — She quickly grows to love Augusto.
• Failed Social Reintegration — Augusto's attempts to resume ordinary social and professional life repeatedly become disruptive.
  • Bank Recognition — Former colleagues recognize Augusto at the bank.
  • Party Insult — He insults a client during Giorgio's drinks party.
• Public Breakdown — A television opportunity collapses when Augusto and Alcide disrupt the broadcast.
  • Alcide Reunion — Augusto meets his old clinic roommate before the show.
  • Broadcast Pulled — Their rude behavior causes the television program to be hastily cancelled.
• Carnival Escape — A seemingly ordinary outing with Rosa leads to domestic crisis and flight.
  • Street Encounter — Augusto and Rosa meet a homeless man in Rome.
  • Carla's Threat — Carla threatens Augusto with recommittal after he brings Rosa home late.
• Farmhouse Refuge — Augusto seeks shelter with Alcide, and Rosa follows him there.
  • Runaway Grandfather — Augusto leaves home and provides Rosa with his address.
  • Rosa Follows — Rosa escapes the threat of boarding school to join Augusto.
• Forced Separation — The police return Augusto and Rosa home, where institutional decisions separate them.
  • Police Search — Authorities trace the missing man and child.
  • Boarding School — Rosa is sent away while Augusto finds a room alone.
• Acceptance of Solitude — Augusto recognizes that Rosa's life must move beyond their intense childhood bond.
  • Changed Affections — Rosa remains loving but becomes focused on a young cousin.
  • Letting Rosa Grow — Augusto accepts her independence and his own continuing solitude.

Directed by

Dino Risi

Key Cast

• Vittorio Gassman — Augusto Scribani
• Dominique Sanda — Carla
• Eva Grimaldi — Ines
• Firmine Richard — Anita
• Veronica Dei — Deborah