Mom or Dad?

Valeria and Nicola are newly divorced, and the custody battle over their three kids has become a full contact sport. Neither parent wants to be the one stuck with the daily grind, and both spin the other as the main obstacle to a peaceful family. Valeria hints at letting Nicola take the reins, while Nicola counters by claiming that keeping the children close is the truest way to protect them. The movie follows the comical chaos of school runs, misunderstandings, and last minute schemes, all set against a backdrop of legal wrangling and shared memories that remind us how messy love can be. Their schemes collide in a string of miscommunications that reveal both irritation and affection in equal measure. No one wins easily, but everyone learns a bit.

Directed by Riccardo Milani and released in 2017, the film features a script credited to Giulia Calenda and Paola Cortellesi, blending sharp wit with family drama. The project blends witty dialogue with observational humor about parents and courts.

Critics frame the movie as a breezy look at modern parenting where romantic pride collides with practical responsibility. It probes how custody choices challenge assumptions about what family means and shows that cooperation, even in awkward moments, can beat stubbornness. The humor rests on timing and character, not cruel jokes, making it accessible to families and singles alike.

The film adds to a wave of Italian comedies that test the line between laughs and real life misfortune. Paola Cortellesi and Antonio Albanese deliver performances that audiences recall, contributing to conversations about how parents navigate disagreements without breaking the bond with their kids.

Box office data for Mamma o Papà is not widely published, but the film landed in Italian cinemas with moderate numbers and found a solid audience in its home market today.