What Time Is It?

Two generations collide when a father and his adult son, long separated by distance and pride, end up sharing a single day together. Raffaele, a stubborn patriarch, and Michele, his quick tempered son, reintroduce themselves not with grand declarations but with small talk, old memories, and pointed questions. They navigate the rooms of a familiar city and the margins of past choices, trying to map where life diverged and whether reconciliation is possible. The conversation is not a single revelation but a series of imperfect attempts to listen, forgive, and set boundaries. The film keeps the atmosphere intimate and unhurried, letting humor surface through awkward silences and sly exchanges while never losing the emotional gravity of their bond.

Directed by Ettore Scola and released in 1989, What Time Is It? stars Marcello Mastroianni as Raffaele and Massimo Troisi as Michele, with Anne Parillaud and Lou Castel in important roles. The screenplay is by Beatrice Ravaglioli and Silvia Scola.

The film rests in the late 80s Italian cinema tradition that blends humor with intimate drama. By pairing Mastroianni's suave presence with Troisi's restless energy, it probes how generations misunderstand each other, yet still linger in shared family rooms. Everyday settings and patient exchanges render dialogue as a form of social observation, giving the work a lasting, distinctly Italian resonance.

Critics welcomed the film for its warm, humane tone and its deft balance of laughs with real emotional stakes. It centers on reconciliation rather than victory, asking how pride and memory shape the way a family defines itself. The performances, especially Mastroianni and Troisi, anchor a narrative that refuses tidy resolutions while inviting viewers to reflect on their own relationships.

Box office data for What Time Is It? is not widely documented, and the film is not known as a commercial blockbuster. Its reputation rests on performances and intimate storytelling rather than grosses.