Contromano

Set in Milan, Contromano follows Mario Cavallaro, a fifty-something man who clings to the familiar rhythms of his Milanese district. Change worries him, until a street vendor named Oba arrives selling socks and the encounter unsettles his complacency. What begins as a harmless curiosity gradually escalates into a reckless plan. Mario engineers a shocking scheme to smuggle Oba back to Senegal, convinced it will restore order to his orderly world. The film turns a tense premise into brisk comedy by letting the Milan street become a stage for awkward encounters and miscommunications that puncture pretensions on both sides. The humor flickers between dry wit and outlandish ruses, as Mario's courage wobbles and Oba keeps his own counsel, and moral awakening.

Directed by Antonio Albanese, Contromano is a contemporary Italian comedy about ordinary people facing abnormal impulses. It presents an original story, not an adaptation, from Albanese and writers Andrea Salerno and Stefano Bises, with the Milan setting adding character today.

Box office details are not widely reported, and the film appears to have had a modest Italian release typical of offbeat comedies that appeal to niche audiences rather than broad markets. Its release strategy focused on Italian theaters and streaming.

The premise raises questions about immigration and neighborliness as Oba's presence in a Milanese neighborhood spurs conversation about stereotypes and generosity in Italian society. Some viewers see it as a nudge toward empathy, while others warn of reductive humor. It also invites broader discussion about hospitality, prejudice, and belonging everywhere.

Reception & Themes: Critics emphasize brisk pacing and sharp humor, yet the film also probes midlife anxiety and the impulse to retreat from change. Farce becomes a tool to explore how perception shapes actions and social tensions and to question what people owe one another. It remains thoughtful yet accessible worldwide.