A film by Pietro Marcello
With: Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, Fanni Wrochna, Noémie Merlant, Fausto Russo Alesi, Edoardo Sorgente, Vincenzo Nemolato, Gaja Masciale, Vincenza Modica, Mimmo Borrelli, Savino Paparella
In the years between WWI and the rise of Fascism, legendary thespian Eleonora Duse shocks everyone by getting back onstage at over 60 years of age. Struggling with the brutality of historical events unfolding and clinging to the possibility of utopia, she makes her art a revolutionary act, even at the cost of sacrificing health and affection—facing her final journey aware she could give up life itself, but not her own true nature.
Our rate: *
A portrait that misses its mark and dwells on certain biases, even falling into the trap set by its protagonist. Above all, this portrait raises a question: where did Pietro Marcello want to take us—in a critique of fascism? In a declaration of love for theater? In a great period film? It is none of these things. It certainly gives Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi the opportunity to indulge in a colorful fantasy, allowing her to reach new heights and engage in all kinds of escapades, but this portrait lacks almost everything that could make it appealing: a point of view, scope, grandeur, delicacy, or bias.
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