The film follows the lives of two young men, Gigi and Carletto, who leave their small village in Southern Italy to seek better opportunities in Milan. They are enticed by the promise of economic prosperity and arrive with high hopes. The reality they encounter is much harsher as they immediately struggle to find work and a place to live. They end up in a crowded boarding house for migrant workers, highlighting the grueling conditions faced by those seeking a way out of rural poverty. Gigi and Carletto quickly discover that the city's promises are often empty, as they deal with exploitation, unsanitary living conditions, and the complex navigation of urban life.

Despite their hardships, Gigi and Carletto form friendships with other residents in the boarding house, including a group of women who work as cleaners and waitresses. The narrative explores how camaraderie and solidarity emerge among these workers despite their different backgrounds. As the friends attempt to maintain their dignity and dreams in a hostile environment, they confront various moral dilemmas and personal challenges that test their endurance. The contrast between their hopeful naivety and the grim realities they face drives the story, providing a sharp critique of socio-economic inequalities and the myth of the urban utopia.