The article reviews Joe Wright’s limited series “Mussolini: Son of the Century,” drawing parallels between Mussolini and contemporary figures like Donald Trump. The series highlights Mussolini’s rise through propaganda and media manipulation, reflecting today’s political climate where fascism resurges.
Wright explores Mussolini’s contradictions—claiming to be “anti-party” while engaging in politics, elections, and military actions for personal gain. The narrative parallels between Mussolini’s era and today’s political landscape feature similar conflicts and tensions, particularly between fascists and socialists.
Luca Marinelli’s portrayal of Mussolini captures the character’s charisma and ego through dynamic direction and strong performances. However, the series limits perspectives largely to Mussolini’s viewpoint, making it difficult to appreciate how others perceived him. This focus leads to a depiction of a figure driven by power rather than principles, rendering the story somewhat repetitive and devoid of depth.
While the urgent message of recognizing and combating fascism is clear, the execution lacks a comprehensive exploration of anti-fascist movements, resulting in a limited emotional impact. Ultimately, the show compares Mussolini and Trump effectively but falls short of offering more profound insights.
Grade: B-
“Mussolini: Son of the Century” is available on MUBI.
