The film tells the story of John May, an employee of a municipal office, who is responsible for tracking down relatives or acquaintances of people who have died in solitude. The protagonist performs his work meticulously and even seems to feel sorry whenever he fails to persuade (almost never) a relative to attend at least the funeral. The faces of his "cases" are shown to us every time he adds a photo to his personal "sticker album," which he keeps in order and respect, making those people whom neither he nor the audience have ever met almost familiar to us. His life flows methodically and solitary until he is informed that his office will be downsized and he will be laid off. He then requests to be able to handle the last "case" he had in hand, that of a certain Billy Stoke. He is granted permission, and thus begins a journey that will lead him to meet all those who knew Stoke: former colleagues, betrayed women, illegitimate daughters... outlining a rather controversial character, unstable and generous until he is reduced to a homeless person.

It is the encounter with the eldest daughter (who had no relationship with the father) that turns the story around. Initially reluctant, she agrees to take care of the funeral, touched by May's heartfelt request. A friendship or perhaps more develops with the girl. The fact is that John May's life receives a wind of novelty and enthusiasm, but it lasts shortly; an accident, and the protagonist dies. The last sequence shows all of Stoke's relatives and acquaintances surrounding his grave in the cemetery despite initially refusing to participate, and further away, May's funeral attended in solitude. However, as evening falls, he is "visited" by all the characters he had taken care to restore dignity to, despite no one claiming them, and they pay him homage, with Stoke leading.

A beautiful film about the value of life and relationships; a film à la Mike Leigh, so to speak, directed by Italian Uberto Pasolini, awarded in Venice, excellent Marsan. Year 2013

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By Stanlio

 Rachel Portman accompanies us worthily throughout the film with a truly fitting piece.

 John May loves his job so much and is so humane that he personally writes what will be read in church during funeral services.