Malena (B or 3/4 stars)
Model-turned-actress Monica Belucci makes a splash in Giuseppe Tornatore's new WWII-era film, 'Malena'. Italy, 1940: 12 yr. old Renato Amoroso (Giuseppe Sulfaro) experiences a sexual awakening when he 1st catches a glance of Malena Scordia (Belucci). Malena, daughter of a professor, comes to (the fictional town of) Castelcuta to care for her father while her husband, Nico, is away at war. While walking through town in disarming silence, every man, woman, & child's head turns. The men & boys: to lust after her. The women: to scathe her & gossip. When Malena's husband is killed in the war, Malena suddenly becomes free to date or 'not' date whomever she pleases. And during the next few yrs., Renato's early infatuation with Malena falls into a deep obsession.
Through spying on her (incessantly), he discovers that Malena is not the person he imagined her to be. Her life isn't rosy. In fact, he must bear witness to her suffering. She's not a happy woman. She's lonely, regretful. Her husband is assumed dead. Her father is ill. Her money is almost all gone. She's lost her job. She's humiliated. Every man wants to treat her as an object. And no woman in the town respects her. There's simply no one to stick up for her; or to be a shoulder for her. Renato would, but he's confused; is she still 'ideal' in his mind? And let's not forget, he's only 12. Events occur which cement Renato's helplessness even more so (these scenes are very hard to watch ... prepare). What will happen to Renato, Malena, & the town who treats her with such disdain?
The answer(s) are quite surprising, and fairly effective. Just like his immensely popular Cinema Paradiso, director Tornatore mixes this coming-of-age story with themes of whimsy, nostalgia, comedy, melodrama & tragedy. The tone of the film becomes fairly dark & somber (abuse, war, etc.) ... but the ending brings a bit of that reflective nostalgia back. It's an ending of great contemplation; beautifully filmed. This film tells a small but potent story about the fickleness of a community and how detrimental gossip can be to one person (Malena). It's also about Renato. The courage he summons, the innocence that disappears with maturity, & the memories he cherishes. Along with some ravishing cinematography, period detail, & unique crowd scenes, is a gorgeous music score by Ennio Morricone (The Mission, The Untouchables). It's easy to be immersed both during the movie & also well after it is over. It lingers with you.
Monica Belluci is very enticing as Malena. She speaks very little; but uses her body, her eyes, & her face to express to us everything that she's feeling. I think I fell in love with her a little bit. And the last scene with her is heart-rending. Giuseppe Sulfaro (picked from hundreds) is very good as the young Renato; growing into a young man before our eyes. Now, there are some uncomfortable scenes throughout 'Malena' ... not pleasant, at all. And though the character of Malena is meant to be aloof & somewhat standoffish, the movie may have benefited from us getting to know her (as a person, and not a body) a little bit more. That said, 'Malena' is (overall) a beautiful & beautifully sad film about growing up and being accepted. Both lead characters convey this admirably.
Through spying on her (incessantly), he discovers that Malena is not the person he imagined her to be. Her life isn't rosy. In fact, he must bear witness to her suffering. She's not a happy woman. She's lonely, regretful. Her husband is assumed dead. Her father is ill. Her money is almost all gone. She's lost her job. She's humiliated. Every man wants to treat her as an object. And no woman in the town respects her. There's simply no one to stick up for her; or to be a shoulder for her. Renato would, but he's confused; is she still 'ideal' in his mind? And let's not forget, he's only 12. Events occur which cement Renato's helplessness even more so (these scenes are very hard to watch ... prepare). What will happen to Renato, Malena, & the town who treats her with such disdain?
The answer(s) are quite surprising, and fairly effective. Just like his immensely popular Cinema Paradiso, director Tornatore mixes this coming-of-age story with themes of whimsy, nostalgia, comedy, melodrama & tragedy. The tone of the film becomes fairly dark & somber (abuse, war, etc.) ... but the ending brings a bit of that reflective nostalgia back. It's an ending of great contemplation; beautifully filmed. This film tells a small but potent story about the fickleness of a community and how detrimental gossip can be to one person (Malena). It's also about Renato. The courage he summons, the innocence that disappears with maturity, & the memories he cherishes. Along with some ravishing cinematography, period detail, & unique crowd scenes, is a gorgeous music score by Ennio Morricone (The Mission, The Untouchables). It's easy to be immersed both during the movie & also well after it is over. It lingers with you.
Monica Belluci is very enticing as Malena. She speaks very little; but uses her body, her eyes, & her face to express to us everything that she's feeling. I think I fell in love with her a little bit. And the last scene with her is heart-rending. Giuseppe Sulfaro (picked from hundreds) is very good as the young Renato; growing into a young man before our eyes. Now, there are some uncomfortable scenes throughout 'Malena' ... not pleasant, at all. And though the character of Malena is meant to be aloof & somewhat standoffish, the movie may have benefited from us getting to know her (as a person, and not a body) a little bit more. That said, 'Malena' is (overall) a beautiful & beautifully sad film about growing up and being accepted. Both lead characters convey this admirably.