In the late 1980s, Italian cinema saw a resurgence of interest in literary adaptations. The 1988 version brought a grittier, more serialized approach to the story, allowing for a deeper exploration of the psychological torment faced by the characters.

The story is claustrophobic, taking place almost entirely within the walls of a Roman apartment. It centers on Mariagrazia, a fading widow desperate to hold onto her social status, and her two children, Michele and Carla. They are financially ruined, kept afloat only by the manipulative Leo, Mariagrazia’s lover who is also secretly pursuing her daughter Carla.

If you are certain the film exists, here are the most likely sources: