A Five Star Life (2013): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2013, A Five Star Life is a drama and romance film directed by Maria Sole Tognazzi, running about 85 minutes. “This is your journey. The path is up to you.” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Single and middle-aged, beautiful Irene (Margarita Buy) is wholly devoted to her job as an inspector of luxury hotels. Constantly on the road, she indulges in expensive pleasures at impeccable resorts, but always incognito and alone, soon escaping to the next exotic destination with her checklist and laptop in tow. When her best friend and ex, Andrea (Stefano Accorsi), who has always been a source of emotional support, suddenly becomes unavailable, Irene is thrown into a deep existential crisis. "Luxury is a form of deceit," she is told by a fellow traveller in the fog of a steam room, and thus begins Irene's quest to bring more meaning into her life.

Who’s in it. A Five Star Life stars Margherita Buy as Irene, Stefano Accorsi as Andrea, Fabrizia Sacchi as Silvia and Gianmarco Tognazzi as Tommaso, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 5.8/10, A Five Star Life has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch A Five Star Life page.

If you liked it. Fans of A Five Star Life tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.