Toni Collette says her new movie Mafia Mamma is a fun example of ‘female empowerment’

It’s been five months since the divorce of Toni Collette and her husband Dave Galafassi made headlines.

And now the Australian actress is starring in the blockbuster Mafia Mamma which recently hit theaters.

The film follows the story of her character, a suburban mother, who unexpectedly inherits her late grandfather’s mafia empire in Italy and finds herself caught up in a deadly mafia war.

Despite the heavy subject matter, it is a comedy, and the 50-year-old actress said it is an “empowering” film for women.

“One of the things I loved about that movie is I think it’s really powerful in the end,” Toni said on Channel 9’s The Today Show.

“This woman is trampled, overlooked, treated like a c**p and then she is swept aside by this invitation to go to Italy and her life changes completely.

“You watch her trajectory as she gets stronger and gets a sense of herself.”

The Muriel’s Wedding actress said the film’s feminist overtones were created in a way that is “not preachy or dogmatic.”

She added, “It doesn’t crack the feminist whip too hard, it’s so much fun and it’s in this completely gleeful context.”

Toni seemed bright and cheerful in the interview, despite previous reports that she was having trouble doing press for her new projects after the breakup of her marriage.

In February, women’s Day reported that a source said the actress has a long way to go before she can really move on from the heartbreak.

“She hasn’t recovered from her breakup yet and won’t be anytime soon,” a longtime friend of the actress told the publication.

The source also said Toni is “devastated” that her breakup “has become so public” and is struggling to enjoy work commitments.

“Toni is a wonder how she is able to pull herself together and keep functioning,” the friend said.

“The promotional side of movies is something she normally enjoys, but not when her life is a mess.”

The couple married in 2003 and have two children together, Sage, 14, and Arlo, 11.

Dave, who was a drummer in an indie rock band when he met the About a Boy star, confirmed their split in December when he was pictured passionately kissing chiropractor Shannon Egan on Sydney’s Manly Beach.

At the time, Daily Mail Australia contacted Toni’s management about the photos, hours later announcing that the pair had split in a joint statement released on her newly reactivated Instagram account.

“It is with grace and gratitude that we announce that we are separating,” the couple wrote.

“We are united in our decision and part ways with continued respect and care for each other.

“Our children are of the utmost importance to us and we will continue to thrive as a family, albeit in a different form. We are grateful for the space and love you are bestowing on us as we evolve and move through this transition peacefully. Thank you very much.’