Famous film director Guido Contini struggles to find harmony in his professional and personal lives, as he engages in dramatic relationships with his wife, his mistress, his muse, his agent, and his mother.

Luisa Contini: Thank you.
Guido Contini: What for?
Luisa Contini: Thank you for reminding me I'm not special. You don't even see what you do to me. Even the moments I think are ours, it's just... you working to get what you want.
Luisa Contini: You're just an appetite, and if you stopped being greedy you'd die. You take everything, and I'm empty!
Luisa Contini: You know, I'm glad I came. I can see now... it's hopeless.
Liliane La Fleur: [From trailer] Directing a movie is a very overrated job, we all know it. You just have to say yes or no. What else do you do? Nothing. "Maestro, should this be red?" Yes. "Green?" No. "More extras?" Yes. "More lipstick?" No. Yes. No. Yes. No. That's directing.
Stephanie: What would you say the limit to what you could show in movies these days is?
Guido Contini: What would you like to see that I haven't already shown you?
Liliane La Fleur: [adjusting the collar of Guido's suit] You're a world class liar, darling. Go out there and lie for Italy. Lie for Italia.
Carla: [from trailer] I'll be waiting for you, with my legs open.
Saraghina: [from trailer] Be... Italian...
Saraghina: Be Italian...
Saraghina: Take a chance and try to steal a fiery kiss!
Saraghina: Be Italian...
Saraghina: Be Italian...
Saraghina: When you hold me, don't just hold me, but... hold... this!...
Saraghina: ...Be a singer!
Chorus: Be a singer!
Saraghina: Be a lover!
Chorus: Be a lover!
Saraghina: Pick the flower now before the chance is past!
Chorus: Before it's past!
Saraghina: Be Italian!
Chorus: Be Italian!
Saraghina: Be Italian!
Chorus: Be Italian...
Saraghina: Live today as if it may... become... your last!
Guido Contini: Hold on to me, mama. Don't let me wake from this.
Guido Contini: [singing] Nothing holds together, nothing makes a bit of sense now. Impossible to grasp or understand. How can I go on to watch the whole of my existence end up being nothing that I planned?
Guido Contini: [singing] I would like the universe to get down On it's knees And say, "Guido, whatever you please, It's okay. Even if it's impossible, we'll Arrange it." That's all that I want.