Remarkable directorial debut for Paola Cortellesi, who also stars in the leading role and writes this Italian black and white dark humor comedy about a woman in Post-War. Her character, Delia, lives in poor conditions, dealing with daily misogynous from her harsh husband, his bankrupted and dishonest father-in-law, her boss... Indeed, it is about the role of woman in then Italian society (and actually something similar could be found elsewhere and still today). Delia in is constrained in chosing her own life, whareas she shall work a lot, in various places, jobs, at home and outside. Indeed, it is a great film about what is work and about how much women have been working, including outside formal jobs. Marcella's future seemed no very different from her mother's present. It is not only about work, as Cortellesi potrays very delicately and deeply how each woman is unique, with her own lost dreams and not always desired realities. Discussions only a sensitive woman was supposed to do so competently. Misogynist violence (the husband who also makes everyone eles to leave the room in order to beat his wife) is portrayed in a serious way, but also with am atmosphere which is tense and light at once, a contradictory but successful outcome that is only possible because of the innovative narrative strategies used by Cortellesi. Contrast between classes, the different impact the war caused in people's lives (there are those who became psychologically ill, or that use it as excuse for bad behaviour, and there are those who became richer by scheming), recurrent male impositive behaviour. Cortellesi has a great work in her multiple tasks here. Her direction is perfect, with good pace, beautiful cinematography, good coordination of the space and extras, with all actors and actresses performing very well. Her performance is particularly sucessful, with shades, strength, smoothness. The script is very sophisticated in the way it connects situations and how things go on. Dialogues and situations are sharp and funny, and the plot twists in the last third part are also very good. The powerful and moving ending is very symbolic.