New Movies: The Last One for the Road (2025) by Francesco Sossai: An Existential Road Trip in the Venetian Plains

The Last One for the Road (2025): Three Men, One Chaotic Journey, Reshaping Futures

The Last One for the Road (2025), originally titled "Le città di pianura" (The Cities of the Plain), is an Italian-German drama and road movie directed by Francesco Sossai. The film follows Carlobianchi and Doriano, two broke, bar-hopping fiftysomethings obsessed with the idea of "one last drink for the road." Their routine takes an unexpected turn when they meet Giulio (Filippo Scotti), a shy and aimless architecture student. What begins as a chance encounter evolves into a chaotic road trip through the Venetian plains, where bad advice, hangovers, and unexpected friendship combine to shake up Giulio's plans for life and love, offering a poignant blend of humor and melancholy.

Summary Short

The Last One for the Road (2025), directed by Francesco Sossai, is an Italian-German drama/road movie. It centers on two middle-aged friends, Carlobianchi and Doriano, who encounter Giulio, a timid architecture student. Their chance meeting leads to a chaotic road trip through the Venetian plains, where their unconventional friendship and "last drink" philosophy profoundly influence Giulio's life choices. The film blends humor and melancholy, exploring themes of friendship, existential questioning, and finding direction.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36491632/

Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/477790/

About movie: https://luckynumber.fr/the-last-one/

Link to watch: (industry professionals): https://pro.festivalscope.com/film/the-last-one-for-the-road

Detailed Summary

• Premise of an Unlikely Encounter: The film introduces Carlobianchi and Doriano, two financially struggling fiftysomethings in Veneto, Italy, who share an obsession with the ritual of "one last drink for the road" at local bars.

• Meeting Giulio: One night, their bar-hopping routine leads them to meet Giulio (Filippo Scotti), a quiet and somewhat adrift architecture student from Naples. The initial encounter is awkward, with some light-hearted regional jokes.

• Chaotic Road Trip: What starts as a simple meeting escalates into a chaotic and meandering road trip through the flat, often overlooked Venetian plains. This journey is fueled by hangovers, questionable advice from the older men, and unexpected moments of camaraderie.

• Giulio's Transformation: The interaction with the two older, eccentric men profoundly impacts Giulio, causing him to re-evaluate his future plans for life, love, and his career as an architect. The film portrays his growth and the shifting of his perspectives.

• Exploration of Friendship: A central element is the development of an unlikely friendship between the three men, highlighting male bonding and the different stages of life.

• Veneto as a Character: The film explicitly uses the Venetian plains, its sights, and its watering holes as a character itself. It offers an "unromantic vision of Italy," focusing on empty piazzas and roadside diners, which creates a dry, melancholic, yet often humorous atmosphere.

• Blend of Humor and Melancholy: The narrative balances moments of humor (especially related to the drinking culture and the men's philosophies) with underlying melancholy and existential questioning.

• Italian-German Co-production: The film is a co-production between Italy (Vivo film, Rai Cinema) and Germany (Maze Pictures), indicating a broader European scope.

• Cast: The main roles are played by Filippo Scotti (known from Paolo Sorrentino's The Hand of God), Sergio Romano, and singer-songwriter Pierpaolo Capovilla.

Plot summary

• The Routine: Carlobianchi and Doriano, two middle-aged friends, spend their nights pursuing their philosophy of having "one last drink for the road" across the bars of the Venetian plains.

• The Encounter: One evening, they chance upon Giulio, a timid architecture student, and despite initial awkwardness, a connection forms.

• The Road Trip Begins: The trio embarks on an unplanned, chaotic road trip through the flat landscapes of Veneto, characterized by hangovers and a series of misadventures.

• Unconventional Mentorship: Through their shared journey, Carlobianchi and Doriano, with their unconventional life philosophies and advice, begin to subtly influence Giulio's perception of life and love.

• Giulio's Reckoning: Giulio is forced to confront his own aimlessness and reconsider his future plans, prompted by the unexpected friendship and experiences on the road.

• Moments of Connection: The film focuses on intimate moments of male bonding, shared conversations, and evolving dynamics between the three very different men.

• The Destination Isn't the Point: While the journey has a physical path, the narrative emphasizes the personal transformations and connections made along the way rather than a specific physical destination. The ending implies a subtle but significant shift in Giulio's outlook.

Director's Vision

• Existential Road Movie: Francesco Sossai aimed to create an existential road movie, where the journey itself and the interactions between the characters are more important than a specific destination or plot resolution.

• Unromanticized Italy: His vision was to portray an "unromantic vision of Italy," specifically the often-overlooked Venetian plains, focusing on empty piazzas and roadside diners to convey a particular atmosphere of everyday life and subtle melancholy.

• Humor and Melancholy Blend: Sossai sought to artfully blend dry wit and humor with a pervasive sense of melancholy, reflecting the lives of characters who are somewhat adrift or grappling with middle age.

• Character-Driven Narrative: The director emphasized a character-driven story, focusing on the "raw portrayal of male vulnerability" and the nuances of unlikely friendships, allowing the actors to bring a lived-in feel to their roles.

• Local Specificity with Universal Themes: While deeply rooted in the local peculiarities and drinking culture of Veneto, Sossai's intention was for the film to transcend its local specificity and touch upon universally relatable themes and feelings.

Themes

• Friendship and Bonding: The evolution of an unlikely friendship between three very different men, exploring themes of camaraderie, companionship, and mentorship across generations.

• Existentialism and Aimlessness: The film delves into the aimlessness of the young Giulio and the slightly resigned, yet persistent, quest of the older men, touching on questions of purpose and life's meaning.

• The Journey, Not the Destination: A core road movie theme where the experiences, conversations, and personal growth during the journey are far more significant than reaching a specific endpoint.

• Humor and Melancholy: The interplay between dry humor, the absurdity of life, and an underlying sense of sadness or contemplation, reflecting the bittersweet nature of human experience.

• Cultural Identity (Veneto): The film subtly explores the specific cultural identity and drinking culture of the Veneto region of Italy, making the setting an integral part of the story's texture.

Key success factors

• Cannes Premiere: Its World Premiere in the Un Certain Regard section of the 78th Cannes Film Festival immediately elevated its profile and guaranteed significant critical attention.

• Unique Genre Blend: The film's successful blend of drama, road movie, humor, and melancholy creates a distinctive and appealing tone that stands out.

• Strong Ensemble Cast: The performances by Filippo Scotti, Sergio Romano, and Pierpaolo Capovilla are crucial, bringing a "lived-in feeling" and emotional depth to their characters.

• Distinctive Visual Style: Francesco Sossai's ability to depict an "unromantic vision of Italy" and use the Venetian plains as a compelling backdrop contributes to its strong atmospheric quality.

• Relatable Human Story: Despite its specific setting, the universal themes of friendship, finding direction in life, and mid-life introspection are highly relatable to a broad audience.

Awards and Nominations

The Last One for the Road (2025) premiered at a prestigious festival and has garnered attention:

• 78th Cannes Film Festival 2025: Official Selection, Un Certain Regard (World Premiere).

Critics Reception

• Early Festival Buzz: The film's selection for Cannes' Un Certain Regard section indicates a strong critical endorsement from the festival itself.

• Next Best Picture (7/10): Praised the "depiction of friendship and Veneto drinking culture" as "funny and heartwarming at the same time." Noted that "the director, who hails from the territories shown in the movie, approaches the cinematic trip with a keen eye for detail, unearthing local peculiarities that add to the universality of the themes being explored." However, also stated that "charming though it may be, the premise doesn't really lend itself to surprises."

• Cineuropa: Described it as Francesco Sossai's "sophomore feature" and a "road movie across the endless Venetian plains that progresses at exactly the same speed as a hangover recovery." Highlighted its story of "friendship and growth."

• MUBI: Called it a "chaotic road trip through the Venetian plains where bad advice, hangovers and unexpected friendship shake up the young man's future plans for life and love."

• Lucky Number (Sales Company): Cited the film's "bold, counter-current spirit and raw portrayal of male vulnerability," noting its "offbeat characters and unromantic vision of Italy – all empty piazzas and roadside diners – carry the dry wit of Kaurismäki. Blending humour and melancholy, it's a quietly powerful, character-driven story that resonates deeply."

Overall Summary of Critics Reception: Critical reception for The Last One for the Road (2025), based on its Cannes premiere and early reviews, is largely positive. Critics commend Francesco Sossai for his unique blend of humor and melancholy, his authentic portrayal of the Venetian plains, and the film's focus on the nuanced development of an unlikely friendship. While some noted that the premise doesn't offer many plot surprises, the film's character-driven nature, atmospheric setting, and relatable themes of growth and connection are consistently praised.

Reviews

• Character-Driven Focus: Reviews emphasize that the film's strength lies in its characters and their interactions, with critics praising the chemistry between Filippo Scotti, Sergio Romano, and Pierpaolo Capovilla.

• Atmosphere and Setting: The film's success in capturing the specific atmosphere of the Venetian plains, with its unique drinking culture and often-overlooked landscapes, is a recurring point of praise.

• Tone: The balance between "dry wit," "humor," and an underlying "melancholy" is frequently highlighted as a key artistic achievement, giving the film its distinctive feel.

• Relatability: Despite its specific Italian setting, many reviews suggest the themes of friendship, life choices, and existential contemplation are universally relatable.

Overall Summary of Reviews: Reviews for The Last One for the Road (2025) are very favorable, highlighting its success as a character-driven road movie that skillfully blends humor with melancholy. The film's authentic portrayal of the Venetian region and the strong performances of its cast are consistently lauded, contributing to a "quietly powerful" story about friendship and self-discovery that resonates deeply with audiences.

Production Summary

The Last One for the Road (2025), originally titled "Le città di pianura," is an Italian-German co-production. It is the sophomore feature film by director Francesco Sossai, building on his previous critically recognized works like Other Cannibals (2021) and The Birthday Party (2023).

Production companies

• Vivo film (Italy)

• Rai Cinema (Italy)

• Maze Pictures (Germany)

• Cecilia Trautvetter

Sales companies

• Lucky Number (International Sales)

Distribution companies

• (Distribution information is not widely available yet as of June 2025. It will likely depend on sales by Lucky Number.)

Release date on streaming

Specific streaming release dates for The Last One for the Road (2025) are not yet announced, as it recently premiered at Cannes.

Theatrical Release

The Last One for the Road (2025) had its World Premiere at the 78th Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2025, as part of the Un Certain Regard section. Subsequent theatrical release dates in Italy and other territories will be announced following its festival run and distribution deals.

Why to recommend this movie

• Festival Acclaim: Its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival (Un Certain Regard) signifies strong artistic merit and quality.

• Unique Road Movie: It offers a fresh, character-driven road trip through the lesser-seen, yet atmospheric, landscapes of the Venetian plains.

• Blend of Humor and Melancholy: The film expertly balances dry wit and humor with an underlying existential melancholy, providing a nuanced and thought-provoking experience.

• Strong Character Performances: The film is carried by compelling performances from its three lead actors, forming a memorable and unlikely friendship.

Why to Watch Movie

• For Fans of European Arthouse: If you appreciate character-focused dramas that explore human connection and existential themes.

• Unique Italian Setting: See an authentic and unromanticized portrayal of Italy, specifically the Veneto region, that serves as a backdrop for the characters' journey.

• Engaging Story of Friendship: Experience the formation and development of a meaningful, albeit unconventional, friendship between three very different men.

• Thought-Provoking but Accessible: It offers a film that prompts reflection on life's choices and relationships while remaining engaging and subtly humorous.

Movie Trend

The Last One for the Road (2025) aligns with the trend of "Contemporary European Arthouse Cinema," which often features character-driven narratives, explores complex human relationships, and utilizes specific cultural or regional landscapes as integral elements of the story. It also fits the "Existential Road Movie" subgenre, where the physical journey serves as a metaphor for internal exploration and personal transformation.

Social Trend

The film touches upon the social trend of Intergenerational Mentorship and Connection, exploring how older, more experienced (albeit unconventional) individuals can influence and help a younger person find their path. It also subtly addresses the changing nature of Male Bonding and Vulnerability in contemporary society.

Final Verdict

The Last One for the Road (2025) by Francesco Sossai, originally "Le città di pianura," is a standout entry from the 2025 Cannes Film Festival's Un Certain Regard section. This Italian-German co-production is a beautifully crafted drama and road movie that excels in its subtle blend of humor and melancholy. Its strength lies in the authentic portrayal of an unlikely friendship between two seasoned bar-hoppers and a shy architecture student, set against the evocative backdrop of the Venetian plains. Sossai delivers a character-driven narrative that feels both deeply specific to its Italian roots and universally resonant in its exploration of existential questions, personal growth, and the enduring power of human connection. It's a highly recommended watch for those seeking a thoughtful, atmospheric, and genuinely charming cinematic experience.

Recommendations for film makers

• Emphasize Character Chemistry: For films driven by relationships, focus intensely on casting and directing to ensure authentic and compelling chemistry between the lead actors.

• Find Beauty in the Unconventional: Demonstrate how seemingly "unromantic" or everyday landscapes and settings can be transformed into visually rich and atmospheric elements that enhance the narrative.

• Master Tonal Balance: Aim to expertly blend humor and melancholy, or other seemingly contrasting tones, to create a nuanced and emotionally complex viewing experience.

• Trust the Journey: For road movies, allow the journey and the subtle character shifts to be the primary focus, rather than relying on overt plot twists or a grand destination.

Recommendations for Movie Industry

• Prioritize Festival Acquired Films: Actively pursue and invest in films that gain significant traction at prestigious international festivals like Cannes, as they often represent high artistic quality and potential for critical acclaim.

• Promote Niche European Cinema: Develop targeted distribution strategies for European arthouse and independent films that may not have mainstream blockbuster appeal but offer unique cultural insights and compelling storytelling.

• Highlight Director's Vision: Emphasize the distinct artistic vision of directors when marketing films, using their unique style as a selling point to attract audiences seeking more profound cinematic experiences.

• Invest in Story-Driven Content: Continue to support films that prioritize strong narratives and deep character development over spectacle, as these often have a longer critical and cultural shelf life.

Final Conclusions

The Last One for the Road (2025) by Francesco Sossai (original title: "Le città di pianura") is a remarkable and poignant Italian-German drama that justly earned its spot in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes. Far from a gritty ex-con story, it is an exquisitely crafted road movie about an unlikely intergenerational friendship unfolding across the subtly beautiful Venetian plains. Sossai masterfully blends humor with melancholy, creating an atmospheric and deeply human narrative that explores themes of self-discovery, male bonding, and the quiet pursuit of meaning. This film is a testament to the power of character-driven storytelling and an authentic portrayal of place, establishing itself as a significant and highly recommended work in contemporary European cinema.