There's Still Tomorrow

Set in Rome in May 1946, "There's Still Tomorrow" follows Delia, a wife and mother navigating the hardships of post-war life. She is married to the authoritarian and abusive Ivano and is the mother to three children, including the eldest, Marcella. Delia's life is a cycle of domestic chores, caring for her bedridden father-in-law, and various odd jobs to support her family, all while enduring her husband's physical and psychological abuse.

Delia hopes her daughter Marcella can escape a similar fate by marrying Giulio, who comes from a wealthier family. However, Delia's perspective begins to shift when she receives a mysterious letter. This unexpected correspondence ignites a newfound courage within her, pushing her to challenge the patriarchal conventions that bind her and to envision a different future, not just for herself, but for her daughter as well.

"There's Still Tomorrow" is a powerful feminist statement about emancipation, resilience, and the importance of collective action. Director Paola Cortellesi uses the historical backdrop of post-war Italy—specifically the moment women gained the right to vote—to explore timeless themes of domestic abuse, patriarchal oppression, and the generational transmission of trauma. The film's core message is one of hope, suggesting that even in the most oppressive circumstances, the power for change exists. It argues that liberation isn't necessarily about a grand, romantic escape, but can be found in small, defiant acts of self-worth and in exercising one's civic voice to build a better future for the next generation. The film serves as a poignant reminder that the fight for women's rights is ongoing and that personal struggles are deeply intertwined with political ones.

While the ending is widely seen as triumphant and empowering, some viewers and critics have offered an alternative, more somber interpretation. This reading focuses on the fact that Delia does not actually leave her abusive husband, Ivano. From this perspective, her act of voting is a significant moral victory but not a solution to her immediate, dangerous domestic situation. It suggests that while she has taken a step towards a better future for the next generation, her own tomorrow remains one of suffering and abuse.

This interpretation sees the ending not as a complete resolution but as a bittersweet commentary on the limitations faced by women of that era. Her freedom is symbolic and political rather than personal and immediate. The film, in this view, is less a story of personal escape and more a depiction of self-sacrifice for the greater good of her daughter and future generations of women. It highlights the difficult reality that for many women, systemic change was the only hope, as individual escape was often impossible.

"There's Still Tomorrow" became more than just a film in Italy; it evolved into a cultural phenomenon. Released in late 2023, its narrative about domestic violence and female emancipation resonated profoundly in a country grappling with high rates of femicide. The film's unexpected and massive commercial success, where it outperformed Hollywood giants like "Barbie," demonstrated a deep public appetite for stories centered on women's historical and present-day struggles. It sparked nationwide conversations, was shown in schools, and became a symbol of a collective desire for social change.

Stylistically, the film's blend of neorealist aesthetics with modern sensibilities—particularly its anachronistic soundtrack—was widely praised for making historical issues feel urgent and contemporary. By framing the ultimate act of liberation not as a romantic escape but as the civic duty of voting, the film provided a powerful political statement. Critics lauded its ability to balance tragedy with humor, creating a work that was both accessible and deeply moving. Its success marked a significant moment for female directors in Italian cinema and proved that films with strong feminist themes could dominate the mainstream market.

Audiences in Italy embraced "There's Still Tomorrow" with unprecedented enthusiasm, making it the highest-grossing film of 2023. Viewers praised its powerful emotional core, the brilliant lead performance by Paola Cortellesi, and its ability to blend humor and tragedy. Many found the story deeply moving and empowering, particularly its focus on female solidarity and the historical significance of women's first vote. The film's word-of-mouth success was phenomenal, with a significant portion of the audience being women and older viewers who returned to cinemas, some for the first time since the pandemic.

While overwhelmingly positive, some minor points of criticism from viewers included the use of anachronistic music, which some found jarring, though most critics and audiences felt it effectively highlighted the story's contemporary relevance. A small portion of viewers also debated the ending, questioning whether Delia's choice to vote rather than leave her husband was a truly happy or empowering conclusion, with most concluding it was a realistic and profound statement on the nature of liberation for women of that era.