I'm Starting from Three

Gaetano, a restless young Neapolitan, decides to step away from the comforts of home, a steady job, and a circle of familiar friends. He wants to taste life on the margins, to feel different moments of existence and meet people who challenge his routines. What follows is a sequence of small, chance encounters that push him beyond his comfort zone and lead him into awkward, comic situations as he tests new ideas about who he could become. The city of Naples functions as a living backdrop, with its traffic, cafés, and layered neighborhoods shaping his attempts to connect with strangers, form fleeting friendships, and perhaps find a touch of romance. The tone stays light and intimate, relying on honest reactions, warm humor, and the everyday details of urban life to carry him toward a clearer sense of his own desires and he discovers new possibilities.

Released in 1981, the film was directed by Massimo Troisi and born from an original screenplay by Troisi and Anna Pavignano. It showcases Troisi's intimate, character centered approach and a playful, human centered style that blends humor with observations about work, love, and the search for meaning in a changing world.

Critics praised its quiet, observant portrayal of independence, friendship, and the lure of new experiences. The film treats leaving home not as a dramatic escape but as a gradual negotiation with family obligations, work life, and the pull of unfamiliar places, all tempered by humor.

As an early Massimo Troisi feature, the movie helped establish a template for Neapolitan cinema that favors intimate character moments over broad jokes. Its sense of place and patient storytelling left a mark on later Italian comedies and the way Troisi developed his screen persona.

Box office data is not publicly documented in the provided materials, so no reliable worldwide gross figure is available. The focus remains on character driven storytelling and performances rather than earnings. Financial details are often scarce for this era.