In the bustling heart of Rome, a mother obsessed with her young daughter's stardom struggles to turn the innocent and tender Marcella into a film celebrity. The story follows Maddalena, a lower-class woman with big dreams and outsized expectations. Her life revolves around the idea that if her daughter gets selected for a role in a movie, they might finally escape their mundane existence.
With a mix of naivety and desperation, Maddalena navigates the entertainment world, confronting directors and producers, all dazzled by the charm of youth and beauty. However, what starts as a quest for fortune soon turns into an obsession that threatens to destroy the mother-daughter relationship. Maddalena becomes so fixated on dreams of greatness that she loses sight of what truly matters: Marcella's happiness and well-being.
As the plot unfolds, the journey spirals into a dark abyss of disillusionment, facing the harsh reality of the entertainment industry and the struggle for authenticity in a world that often prioritizes superficiality. With a blend of comedy and drama, the film subtly critiques fame and ambition, highlighting the price paid—not only in the pursuit of recognition but also in the relationships we cherish. In this dilemma, both mother and daughter will learn valuable lessons about what it truly means to be "bellissima."