The Scent of the Night is a crime drama film directed by Claudio Caligari, released in 1997. The movie is set in the 1970s in Rome and focuses on the life of a former police officer named Corrado (Valerio Mastandrea). Corrado quits the police force due to corruption and a lack of faith in the justice system. He begins to lead a double life as a robber, stealing from the wealthy and the powerful to make ends meet.
Corrado becomes addicted to the thrill of robbing and starts to slide down a path of crime and violence. He is accompanied on his robberies by his partner-in-crime, Bruno (Max Mazzotta), who is more reckless and violent than Corrado. As they continue to rob more sophisticated targets, they begin to attract the attention of the police, including Corrado's former colleagues.
As the tension and danger escalate, Corrado becomes increasingly isolated and paranoid. He begins to have nightmares and hallucinations, haunted by his past as a police officer and the people he has robbed. Meanwhile, his personal life is falling apart, as his girlfriend is pregnant and the pressure to provide for their family increases.
The Scent of the Night portrays a gritty and brutal portrayal of the criminal underworld in Rome during the 1970s. The film deals with themes of corruption, violence, and the search for identity in a criminal environment. The performances of the lead actors are intense and compelling, and the film creates a powerful and disturbing atmosphere.