Thanks for reading and the good ratings! I always return them, within a few days at the latest.
Thanks for reading and the good ratings! I always return them, within a few days at the latest.
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This film was directed by Giuseppe Tornatore, who is also known for CINEMA PARADISO.
Malena is a story set in a small town on Sicily in 1942. Mussolini is still in power and almost everybody is delighted to be taking part in the war.
The central character, Malena, is a young woman who has recently married a young local man. He brought her and her elderly father to this town, but was drafted a month after his marriage. Malena is now living alone in her husband's house while her father is the new Latin teacher at the local school. She is exceptionally beautiful and stylish. Which is why the men and boys lust after her and the women envy and hate her. Malena's reticence and solitary nature gives all of them an excuse to "suspect" her of having loose morals and being a home wrecker. But when we see her at her home, it is evident that all she cares about is life with her husband and helping her father. Later when her husband is reported dead and the progress of the war lead to further deprivation, she is driven to desperate measures. But her difficulties don't lead to any sympathy for her, but only
even harsher judgement.
Except for one, the other lead character Renato. He is approximately 14, the youngest one in a group of teenagers that cycle around town for a glimpse of Malena. While the others simply dream about "doing her", Renato is the only one that "loves her" and feels hurt by the spite towards her. He finds small and amusing ways to retaliate against anyone accusing his "loved one". He writes her several letters, that he doesn't send, and though immature they are touching for his defence of her character. You see many scenes in which he fantasizes about himself with her. Another really funny aspect are the arguments between the boy and his father.
The performances are very natural and believable, Monica Bellucci seems superhuman with her natural beauty and poise. I can't comment on how it compares to other Italian films, or war films as I generally avoid them. The story is essentially a simple one. Often it has been critisized for representing human in a "negative light". It does, but it hardly does human nature an injustice. People do condemn anything and anyone that doesn't fit into their small scope of experience. And that regardless of the fact that they're completely unaffected and unharmed by the person they choose to object to. This is also true in real life, no matter when or where, or even how well-educated and supposedly broadminded someone may be. Some films or books may be judged for being realistic, others for providing a means for escapism. Both kinds have their rightful place out there though.
There are some very disturbing scenes. In fact I usually skip them now, or at least one of them as it is distressing to watch. But on the whole, despite being set in a time of war, the film conveys a certain charm that life in the Mediterranean still has. If this sounds as if I'm generalizing, I have to add that I have family connections to Croatia, and I have visited Italy. There is a simplicity and similarity to life in most Mediterranean countries, especially in the summer months when people are mostly outside. At least this is true outside the cities. And things haven't changed too much over the last few decades. So I love this film for personal reasons. The natural feel in it comes from the fact that it was mainly or entirely filmed in real places in Sicily, not film sets.
Another major point is the soundtrack, composed by Ennio Morricone. Some of the music resembles later types of classical music, at other times it is derived from the era the film is set in. But it is at all times atmospheric and expressive. Also there is always a strong impression of sadness, whether it is Malena missing her husband, her being hounded by the townspeople, or even Renato fantasizing about her is ultimately hopeless. Altogether it is an enjoyable film, there is even satisfactory twist that leads to realistically happy ending, nothing sugary sweet.
The DVD is a widescreen format, the only language is Italian. Optional subtitles are available in regular English and for the hearing impaired. Additionally there is a brief commentary with the director and Monica Bellucci as a special feature. On the one hand one wishes it was in English, but it might well loose a lot of its expressiveness that way. I have a small advantage by knowing Spanish. The subtitles move along very fast and that takes getting used to.
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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
MALENA is an utterly unforgettable story of a boy's journey into manhood amid the chaos ... more
and intolerance of World War II. In a sleepy Italian village, the most beautiful woman in town, Malena (Monica Bellucci), becomes the subject of increasingly malici...
The latest triumph from Giuseppe Tornatore the writer and director of the Academy ... more
Award'‚-winning Cinema Paradiso Malena is an utterly unforgettable story of a boy's journey into manhood amid the chaos and intolerance of World War II! In a sleepy It...
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![Malena [DVD] [2000]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78526127.jpg "Malena [DVD] [2000]")
May 1st, 2008
(Apr 30th, 2008)
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