In the bustling city of Naples, a noble yet impoverished family faces a crisis that threatens to collapse them. A man of the aristocracy, Don Felice, finds himself in a desperate situation alongside his wife and daughter; they have lost almost all their wealth, and the future looks grim. However, Don Felice's sharp mind is illuminated by an intriguing idea: to pose as a wealthy nobleman and take advantage of a lucrative inheritance offered to a rich woman living in isolation in a luxurious villa.
With the help of his inventive family, which includes a couple of comical and quirky characters, plans are devised to deceive this woman and reclaim some of the family's former glory. The story unfolds in a whirlwind of hilarious situations, misunderstandings, and entanglements that keep everyone in a state of constant tension and laughter. As they try to maintain their facade of nobility, complications grow when the reality of their hardships threatens to unravel their little world of lies.
With a satirical tone, the tale explores themes such as pride, dignity, and the lengths to which a family will go in their desire to regain their status. Amidst all the hilarity, there are flashes of reflection on true nobility and what it really means to be worthy. Ultimately, the film is an emotional and comedic journey through the struggle for family survival in difficult times.