Un uomo in ginocchio

Nino used to be a car thief and served to years in prison. Now he makes a living by selling coffee and lemonade at a little stall. By chance he gets drawn into a war between two rivaling (mafia) families and finds himself on a death list. He tries to resolve the misunderstanding while keeping his little business and his dignity.

This crime drama by Damiano Damiani is situated in a bleak, rainy, dirty Palermo with little hope for a small time ex-convict like Nino. The police is weak and Nino never even considers asking them for help. The small fight and cheat amongst themselves with the bosses giving orders without being seen.

The film is shot in an unostentatious style and narrated in a similar matter-of-factly kind of way. A very good film yet utterly pessimistic.