There's Still Tomorrow * * * * ½

Delia picking up the pieces, (because she kind of has to).

I'm glad a woman is behind this. A man might be lynched for writing some of these scenes. 

It's directed by Paolo Cortellesi, she also wrote the screenplay and plays the lead role. Cortellesi is a woman with a lot of talent, that's for sure!

There's Still Tomorrow is a beautiful looking film which will remind you of classic Italian cinema from the 1940's and 50's which is when it is set. It's shot in black and white with the old format  - it's not widescreen.  The re-creation of the era is impeccable, even if it occasionally uses recent music behind the action.

Set in an unremarkable part of Rome, in the late 1940's, the war has just finished. The American forces still have a presence. Delia is married to Ivano, a nasty, dominating, selfish brute of a man.  They have an older daughter of marriageable age and two selfish, uncouth young boys.  In the spare bedroom is Ivano's father. It is the responsibility of Delia to care for this ungrateful demanding old bastard along with the rest of her family.

From not having enough money, to being late when putting food on the table, for accidentally breaking a dish, or burning the dinner, Delia can expect to be blamed and slapped hard, and not just one slap.

In one scene the domestic violence she suffers is choreographed as a dance. Her face slapped, her body thrown around like a rag doll, whilst the words from some song about eternal love are the only sound.  I mean, what the hell?!

Delia has all the domestic duties, she also works to to bring in some extra money.  She does sewing, she fixes umbrellas and she gives injections. This last rather unusual task is not clearly explained, I can only assume she was once a nurse. 

As an ever ending victim even Delia's own daughter loses respect for her, telling her, "You're nothing but a doormat".  Delia apologises for that too.

At one stage, her father in law instructs his son, not to slap her so often.  It's irritating for him to have to listen to her crying.  Plus, women just get used to it so it becomes ineffective.  At times, the attitudes and words spoken makes for the blackest of black humour.  More than once you'll be thinking, "Oh My God, did he actually say that?" 

Nevertheless, having your daughter marry is a lovely occasion and Delia wants the best for her own daughter who has fallen in love with a young man from a family that runs a successful and popular local shop. 

Ivano looks at this as an opportunity to unload the daughter (one less mouth to feed) and also tap into the wealth of the in-laws.  But the mutual seething and disapproval when the two families meet is something to behold - and also very funny as the dark humour of this film continues.

But as a victim Delia knows all the signs: Joy soon turns to fear when she observes the behavior of her daughter's fiance. She can see what her daughter is getting into.  Despite her oppression we get a taste of what Delia can and will do to save her daughter.

And now another plan is brewing.   In the final ten minutes you will be utterly captivated.  I thought it was going to be something just for Delia, but actually it's much bigger than that.

But for this viewer, all I cared about was Delia and Delia's survival, and I could not see how her latest action would improve her situation.  Though some people say what she does, and the information that followed, is the most moving part of the film.

Either way it's a film well worth going to see.