The Best of Youth

The Best of Youth is a drama that follows the Carati brothers, Nicola and Matteo, from 1966 into the 2000s. While the two siblings begin their lives with shared interests and dreams, their paths diverge after they meet Giorgia, a young woman with mental health struggles. Nicola pursues a career in psychiatry, whereas Matteo leaves his studies to join the police. As the family navigates their personal conflicts and relationships, their experiences mirror major turning points in postwar Italian history, including the Florence flood and the fight against the mafia.

Directed by Marco Tullio Giordana, this film is the second in a chronological series of works that includes One Hundred Steps, Yara, and The Life Apart. The movie features a large ensemble with 87 credited cast members, led by Luigi Lo Cascio and Alessio Boni in the lead roles, alongside Adriana Asti, Sonia Bergamasco, Fabrizio Gifuni, and Maya Sansa. With a runtime of 367 minutes, the production earned 3 million USD at the worldwide box office. The film was well received by both audiences and professionals, earning a rating of 8.8/10 from critics. This positive reception is reflected in audience scores, with the film holding an 8.4/10 on IMDb from 28,000 votes and an 8/10 on TMDB from 619 votes.