Review of Vincere (2009) by Ally C — 02 Feb 2011

Vincere (Italian for 'win' and pronounced vin-cher-ay) is the story of Ida Dalser, Benito Mussolini's secret lover and mother to his child, Benito. The film begins with the young Mussolini, played by Filippo Timi deciding to support a pro-war stance and convince Italy to enter the First World War and help gain a stronger position for Italy in the warring nations.

we see him as an ambitous figure, spurred on by his ideals and by the love of a woman, Ida Dalser, who helps him achieve his goals and financially support him. Once he fathers her child however, he turns his back on them and forges on to form the Italian Fascist party and he begins to silence Dalser by using his powers to imprison her in a madhouse.

The son, Benito is taken into the care of a catholic school and is isolated from his father and mother. The film then focuses on Dlaser's struggle and recalls Angelina Jolie's journey in The Changeling whereby a woman who is morally right, is shunned and oppressed but who does not give up her fight.

Giovanna Mezzogiomo gives a strong performance as Dalser and it is difficult to feel anything other than the deepest sympathy for her imprisonment and isolation from her child. The choice to have Timi play Mussolini and his son at the end of the film was slightly misjudged I would say as it offers no relevant comment on their relationship.

An interesting story but one which plays out without any real feeling outside of Dalser's portrayal.