In early 19th-century Rome, an unconventional nobleman, the Marquess Onofrio del Grillo, feels trapped in a world of conventions and protocols. Despite his high social status, he is an irreverent and eccentric man who is more moved by fun and mischief than by noble obligations. With a sharp sense of humor and a penchant for playing tricks, Onofrio enjoys mocking his surroundings, and his main pastime is pranking the townspeople and the aristocracy. However, his carefree life takes an unexpected turn when he crosses paths with a thief, a man who becomes his unlikely companion.
The Marquess, in his quest to live life to the fullest, decides to adopt an alternative identity, pretending to be a commoner. This sets off a series of comedic and absurd situations that challenge the social norms of the time and put both the nobility and the working class in a precarious position. In the process, Onofrio not only discovers the reality of social classes but also confronts his own prejudices and limitations. The film is a satire filled with irony, where humor intertwines with a biting critique of the aristocratic system, showing how a simple game of identity can change one man's perspective and perhaps that of an entire society. With a star-studded cast and a great sense of rhythm, it is a classic that reminds us that, in the end, we are all equal in the face of life’s laughter and entanglements.