Francesco Mandellino buries his head into his pillow, trying to drown out the moans of Benny Jones having sex at the end of the corridor.

How did he get here, Francesco wonders. How did life bring him to this?

Francesco Mandellino is a hapless, 40-something Italian-Australian who ends up renting a room from young Aussie larrikin Benny Jones after his 20-year marriage comes to an end.

With a piano accordion, two baggy suits and an ageing Alfa Romeo as his only worldly possessions, and with Benny acting as his new life coach, Francesco attempts to navigate the modern singles scene with hilarious, and often disastrous results.

To make matters worse, his Italian mamma makes it her mission to find him a wife.

But just when Francesco thinks all is lost and he is destined for a lifetime living with Benny, along comes an unexpected chance at love.

Giuseppe Spagnolo