In the aftermath of War, specifically in May 1946, the streets of Rome are filled with the sounds of Allied military troops driving around in Jeeps, while the city grapples with the challenges of poverty. This dismal landscape is underscored by the looming institutional referendum and the crucial election of the Constituent Assembly scheduled for June 2 and 3.
At the heart of this turmoil is Delia, a resilient woman caught in the harsh grip of her abusive husband Ivano (Valerio Mastandrea), and the devoted mother of three children, including her spirited teenage daughter, Marcella (Romana Maggiora Vergano). Amid her daily domestic obligations, Delia must also care for her bitter father-in-law, Ottorino (Giorgio Colangeli), while juggling various sewing and laundry tasks for affluent locals and city shops. Her friends play significant roles in her life, including Nino, a kind-hearted mechanic hopelessly in love with her, the optimistic market greengrocer Marisa, and William (Yonv Joseph), an African American soldier eager to assist her in breaking free from her oppressive circumstances.
Life takes a turn for Delia when Marcella announces her engagement to the charming but entitled Giulio Moretti, the heir to a family fortune built around a popular ice-cream parlor. Delia quickly realizes that this union could lead her daughter down the same painful path she herself endured, marked by violence and denigration. After a tense Sunday lunch with her future in-laws, where Giulio's indoctrination of wealth and privilege becomes evident, Delia's instincts kick in. Using the support of William, she resorts to drastic measures by blowing up Giulio's bar, forcing his family to lose their fortune and vacate the area. Though Marcella is crushed by this turn of events, Delia feels a surge of empowerment, spurred on by the arrival of her first voter's card in the mail—a potent symbol of her newfound agency.
Struggling with her domestic life, where her father-in-law’s unexpected passing brings a throng of relatives into her home, Delia remains determined to cast her vote in the upcoming election. However, in a twist of fate, she misplaces her voting card, which first falls into the hands of Ivano, then into the hands of Marcella, who chases after her mother to return it. This moment becomes pivotal, as driven by a fierce desire for change and personal liberation, Delia prepares to assert her presence at the polls—a first for many women in Italy, marking a monumental stride toward independence.
Delia, who had saved 8000 Lire from her meager earnings—initially meant for a wedding dress for Marcella—courageously redirects these funds towards financing her daughter’s education instead. Her journey illustrates a powerful narrative of resistance and hope in the face of adversity, ultimately blossoming into a tale of women's empowerment as she strives to reclaim her identity and that of her children amid the political upheaval of the times.
