Life Alfresco

A romantic tale of first love for the young Chiara who is protected by the elder Axelrod. She seeks the love of an aspiring playwright who works as a dishwasher. The rest of the staff in the restaurant play out: lust, desire and rejection, as the main plot of the two inexperienced lovers unfolds. Woven through is the history of Axelrod’s disastorous love affair of forty years ago and his attempts to salvage his own decency. Women are drawn to him, but his past cripples his ability to relate to them. His commitment to Chiara is legitimate, but his methods of subterfuge and manipulation are not match for the powerful ambition the playwright wields with subtle grace.

The presumed wisdom of Axelrod seems to be exorcising his own demons as he schemes to make things easy for the mutually attracted youths. But life does not go according to plan, even if the intensions are good. Money can’t buy happiness and flirtation doesn’t always draw love. The ending is a triumph of determination that affirms there is nothing new under the sun.