Angela, a young Romanian who leaves her husband and her country to go to Italy to earn some money, is looking after Gemma, an elderly invalid. The latter has limited mobility, suffers constantly in her joints and from numerous problems due to her old age. Querulous and quick-tempered, she finds Angela’s presence difficult to deal with. Incapable however of managing alone, she is forced to accept assistance, as the only other option is an old people’s home. The recent death of Gemma’s husband Nedo adds to her pain, making her all the more capricious and aggressive. The days go by, and Angela does the shopping, cooking, cleaning. Despite the widow’s difficult personality, she manages to remain calm and sweet-tempered. Over the weeks, the women learn how to live together and bear with one another, even discovering they have several things in common.