This is a film directed by Giuseppe Tornatore (Cinema Paradiso). It’s set in Sicily in 1941, and on the day that Mussolini declares war on France and Great Britain, young Renato Amoroso (Giuseppe Sulfaro) falls in love.
Renato is twelve and a half years old, a loner and a dreamer who desperately wants to be part of the local gang. Every day the boys sit on a wall and wait for the local babe, Malena (Monica Bellucci) to walk by. As soon as Renato sees her, his life changes forever.
Malena is married but her husband is a soldier in the war and she’s been left alone in a tiny village. The townsmen want her, the women hate her. Malena is beautiful and they’re jealous of the attention their husbands give her. The streets literally come to a standstill when she walks through them.
Renato becomes fascinated by her, resorting to stealing her underpants from the washing line just to feel close to her. When his father finds him asleep with the pants on his face (?) the next morning, there’s hell to pay. He brands Renato a disgusting ‘pervert’ and bolts his window shut, locking him in his room. Renato keeps his feelings to himself, knowing that he will be ridiculed because he is so young.
He spies on Malena, following her around like a shadow on his bicycle along the cobbled streets. Only he knows what secret sorrow Malena hides. The love she has for her husband apparent when she dances, alone, with his photograph, unaware that Renato is watching her from his spy hole. The Malena that the townspeople see is not the one that Renato watches.
Thus he becomes protective of her, angry when he hears the village folk talking about her in a derogatory way. This is the story of first love, unrequited love, and a woman that doesn’t know he exists.
* What the Mack liked *
Well this was an Italian film, and anything Italian, the Mack likes! This was a beautifully shot film, the stark contrasts between Renato’s angry father, speaking with his hands and quite often hitting his children, and the sombre mood of Malena’s solitary life were obvious.
I hope I haven’t made Renato sound like a perve, the film certainly doesn’t come across as trying to portray his fascination for Malena in any sordid way. She is unaware of his attentions, and indeed throughout the film you wonder if they will ever meet.
Monica Bellucci is a perfect choice as the sultry Malena. Her beauty shines through, even though she doesn’t have much dialogue in the film, this just seems to add to her mystery. The affect she has on men she turns to her advantage half way through the film. She’s glamorous, yet caring towards her elderly and deaf father, who happens to be a teacher at the local school.
It’s a simple story of desire during war time. What happens to Malena? Do the people of the village warm to her eventually? Does Renato ever get to be part of her life and does Malena’s husband return from the war or is she left a widow?
There’s also an excellent musical score by Ennio Morricone.
* Dodgy bits *
This is rated 15 but there’s some nudity and violence in here so I wouldn’t say this is one for the kiddies. There's an especially harrowing scene towards the end which I found quite disturbing.
I found the rude bits funny but hey, that’s just me. Renato's father doesn't know how to treat his young son when Renato starts behaving strangely. He’s pining after someone he can’t have and it is painful to watch and, at the same time, amusing. He fantasises about his love and this is shown in bizarre dream sequences which are shot in black and white. The boy is usually playing some kind of hero to Malena's helpless female, seeing himself as her rescuer.
* Recommended *
Very much so. 5 stars from me. No special effects or action, just one lady, one boy, a bicycle and the streets of Sicily. Wonderful.
Available to buy on dvd for Ł7.99 from www.play.com as this film was released in 2000.
Thanks for reading.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Malaena is when you poo blood. What a crap title! Geddit?
waynehorrigan 02.03.2005 12:24
Me again! Loved Malena and was just like your review, so thanks for that. If you've got Sky Movies, there's a French film on Sky Cinema tonight called Betty Blue about another tragic heroine which you might appreciate. It's on tonight @ 10 and tomorrow @ 11.
waynehorrigan 27.01.2005 17:21
My friend has lent me this and I plan to watch it tonight so I just wanted to see what another Ciao member thought. I think I'm going to enjoy it. Thanks
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Dec 12th, 2003
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