There's Still Tomorrow
2023 · Directed by Paola Cortellesi
Original language: Italian
- drama
- comedy
- history
The story
In postwar Rome, a working-class woman dreams of a better future for herself and her daughter while facing abuse at the hands of her domineering husband. When a mysterious letter arrives, she discovers the courage to change the circumstances of her life.
What it’s like
Black-and-white cinematography with a stark, high-contrast grain, shot largely in cramped Roman apartments, courtyards and crowded tram stops of 1946, the city rendered in grey concrete and washing-line laundry. The camera moves often and close, handheld in the domestic scenes, so you sit inside the rooms with the characters, and the pacing shifts from frantic, slapstick-tinged bustle to quiet stretches of a woman's private thinking. Music is sparse and playful, with brassy, folk-leaning strains that undercut the grimmer moments. The vibe is bittersweet and defiant, a mix of wry humour and simmering unease, suited to a Sunday afternoon with a cup of coffee or a thoughtful evening rewatch. Its emotional arc follows a woman gradually finding her own voice inside a rigid marriage and a restrictive society. The film includes domestic abuse, shown with real weight: slaps, shoving and verbal cruelty appear on screen, but there is no gore and the violence is brief and sharp rather than prolonged. It is for viewers who want a funny, humane period drama about women's agency, with a strong sense of place and an honest edge.
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