Shooting watermelons

Clumsy Federico (21), serious Saverio (25), and their authoritarian father Aurelio Citterio (60) converge at their family vacation home in Sardinia, a middle-class retreat where appearances matter. Aurelio, a retired airline pilot in the midst of a separation from his wife, struggles to maintain discipline as his sons grapple with insecurities. Saverio feels pressured to meet his father's high expectations, while introverted Federico battles feelings of inadequacy and immerses himself in his sociology thesis on the Izumino Case—a Japanese town that transformed from workaholism to relaxation due to a man selling animal-shaped balloons. The arrival of the confident British Ashby family shakes the Citterios' world. To cope with their inferiority complex, they embark on a quest to outshine the Ashbys. Aurelio goes hunting with James Ashby but only shoots watermelons; Saverio wins a tennis match against young Charles, yet girls still flock to Charles, while Federico unexpectedly finds an audience in James’ wife, Bell. A sudden rainstorm traps everyone indoors, forcing them to confront their loneliness. As Aurelio acknowledges the truth about his marriage, Federico uncovers the reality of Izumino, and Saverio faces his hair loss, the Citterio family experiences an unexpected, surreal, cathartic release. After this, they gather for karaoke, shedding their embarrassment and embracing their true selves.