Tags
2000's, Coming-of-Age, Drama, Foreign Language Film, Giuseppe Sulfaro, Giuseppe Tornatore, Malena, Monica Bellucci, World War II
Film Title
Malena
Director
Giuseppe Tornatore
Starring
- Monica Bellucci as Malena Scordia
- Giuseppe Sulfaro as Renato Amoroso
A moving, at times funny and at times bittersweet drama, Malena focuses on the coming of age of a young boy during the Second World War and his desire for a mysterious and beautiful woman. With a lush soundtrack and beautifully rendered visuals, Malena is a film that touches you as well as delivering a few unexpected shocks every now and then.
The tale begins in 1940 in a quiet Sicilian village. Italy has just entered the War and young Renato is given his first bike. The main other event that changes his life on this eventful day is, along with his friends, glimpsing the sight of the beautiful Malena Scordia, whose husband is away fighting in the War. As a quiet and devastatingly gorgeous woman, Malena is the subject of malicious gossip from women and amorous advances from men throughout the town. Young Renato begins to develop a crush on the lonely woman and repeatedly dreams about her. Yet while almost every other man objectifies the woman and for a time Renato does this in his daydreams and fantasies, he soon begins to see that she is just trying to cope with loneliness and is not at all like the savage gossip that is spread about her. As the hardships of the War begin to take their toll, Malena comes under more scrutiny for becoming a prostitute because she is desperate for food and her husband has been listed as dead while serving in Africa. Only young Renato, on the cusp of his teenage years, knows that Malena is simply a shy woman cursed by being very beautiful and paying the price of envy and slander from others as the War continues to rage on.
Writer and director Giuseppe Tornatore conjures up an atmosphere of changing times, burgeoning sexual attraction and intolerance brought on by jealousy. Many of Renato’s dreams about Malena are amusingly rendered with cinematic quality yet tinged with a sense of eroticism. Unlike the other men who just think of her as a sex object, the young boy, while still entranced by her, becomes something of a protector for her, defending her name and observing her actions with an ardent devotion. Malena may be quite funny on occasion but it isn’t afraid to show a darker side, especially surrounding the reactions of other towards the eponymous beauty. At times, the line between humour and drama is a bit stretched, but overall it is a marvellously moving film of youth giving way to maturity and the facing of intolerance. There is one particular scene that showcases the intolerance that I won’s spoil but I will say is a shocking and completely unexpected moment that is hard to watch as the jealous women of the village unleash their fury upon the unsuspecting Malena. An evocative score from the master that is Ennio Moriconne provides thematic backbone to the movie, moving along with at first a jaunty, childlike rhythm before giving way to melancholy pieces to illustrate the sadness of Malena and her set of circumstances. The visuals in Malena are breathtakingly beautiful, bathing the sleepy town obsessed by the beauty of the elusive main character with golden lustre that further enhances the air of beauty and discussion about her.
I have often felt that Monica Bellucci is sometimes overlooked for her acting ability because of her striking looks. But one need look no further than Malena to see that she is a very talented actress of great subtlety and depth. With little dialogue, she gives this woman a sadness, unintentional beauty and the burden of being constantly watched by those around her. A lot of the performance is through her eyes, which stunningly exude a solitary demeanor, the desire to be left alone and the elusiveness that many debate about her. The young Giuseppe Sulfaro brings a naive yet loyal and ardent personality to the character of Renato, who while growing up is the only person aware of Malena’s struggles and the only one sympathetic to her plight. While there are other characters in the film, they mainly just blend together as either lustful men or jealous women as the focus on the story is Malena and Renato.
A moving coming of age tale as well as a parable about the perils of having such beauty, Malena is a fill that will stay with you in one way or another.
Dude the cleaner said:
Good one, nice review I love Monica Bellucci She is one of my favorite actress. Nice review.
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
Thanks, she really is a very talented actress and gorgeous woman.
LikeLike
Khalid at The Blazing Reel said:
Hmmm…I like Monica Bellucci but I’m not sure if I’ll like this movie
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
I’d give it a try Khalid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Khalid at The Blazing Reel said:
I’ll put it on my watchlist, your recommendations rarely disappoint
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
It’s nice to know people enjoy my recommendations.
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
What a great review Vinnie. I’m so glad you posted this, because I never heard of this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
It is always a pleasure to introduce people to different movies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
beetleypete said:
Now you’re in your stride V! I’ve had this since it came out on DVD. Captivating stuff, and Monica is breathtakingly attractive into the bargain. More of these, and less fairy stories, that’s my request. (Have you seen ‘The Hairdresser’s Husband?)
Cheers mate. Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
Cheers Pete, I’m glad to hear you think highly of this movie. I haven’t seen The Hairdresser’s Husband, will have to see it.
LikeLike
beetleypete said:
It’s very good V, I am sure you will enjoy it. (Don’t know if you caught the British film ‘The Goob’ in the cinema? Just reviewed it on my blog.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
Will have to look at your review of The Goob very soon.
LikeLike
Richard Ankers said:
One of my favourite films 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
Then may I say you have exquisite taste Richard.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Richard Ankers said:
Likewise 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
MRS N, the Author said:
I adore Monica Bellucci and she is such a brilliant actress! Looks like a great one! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
She is such a stunning woman and tremendous actress, especially in this film.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mel @ The Creative Fox Den said:
Great review! I keep meaning to watch this but haven’t gotten around to it. Monica Bellucci is incredible. I think you’re right though, she’s sometimes overlooked because she’s so beautiful and that’s too bad because she has so much talent!
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
Glad to hear you agree Mel, she has so much natural talent and subtlety to her performances.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mel @ The Creative Fox Den said:
I agree.
LikeLiked by 1 person
emmakwall said:
Another wonderful review Vinster 🙂
I had never heard of this film, but it sounds very interesting. I like the idea of the young man showing her empathy and understanding, when adults won’t. Sometimes children / teenagers have the most simplistic (and correct!) outlook.
Monica is a doll, absolutely gorgeous!
P.S loved this – “eponymous beauty” 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
I knew you’d like the use of the word eponymous Emma. I liked how in this movie he did dream elaborate fantasies about her, but he also understood her loneliness and suffering.
LikeLiked by 1 person
emmakwall said:
He’s only human at the end of the day and a teenage boy, it’s natural. But it shows his compassion and intelligence to also see the other side of things.
I often think kids make the make heroes in things. I was always such a fan of Roald Dahl books for that reason!
I did, I loved it!!!!!!!!! My favourite word 🙂
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
You are definitely right about children making great heroes in narratives.
LikeLiked by 1 person
emmakwall said:
Thanks Vinnie! Glad we agree (yet again!)
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
We definitely agree on a lot of things.
LikeLiked by 1 person
emmakwall said:
Brother and sister for life!
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
Hell yeah.
LikeLiked by 1 person
emmakwall said:
Amen to that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
Couldn’t agree more.
LikeLike
theipc said:
Great post, boss but this doesn’t sound like something I’d enjoy….
LikeLiked by 2 people
vinnieh said:
Thanks Eric, yeah this doesn’t strike me as something you’d watch.
LikeLiked by 1 person
theipc said:
: ) Probably not!
LikeLiked by 1 person
table9mutant said:
Eric – this is the film they used clips from for that Justice video I made you watch – On’N’On. Remember? 🙂
Nice review, Vinnie. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
David said:
A much better film than I thought going in. Some really nice moments and yes, Morricone’s score is so lovely. Nice review.
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
Glad to hear it impressed you, it certainly had an impact on me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
David said:
I like when a movie does that. In fact, I seek it out often.
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
It’s nice to be surprised by a movie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
David said:
Isn’t that the best? You go in thinking something and come out totally thrown by how it surprised you? I had that recently with Michael Phillips.
LikeLike
David said:
Isn’t that the best? You go in thinking something and come out totally thrown by how it surprised you? I had that recently with Captain Phillips.
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
It really is a great feeling to say the least.
LikeLiked by 1 person
abbiosbiston said:
This sounds like exactly the kind of thing I like.
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
I’m sure you’d like it Abbi.
LikeLike
MIB said:
Good write up. 🙂 Not heard of this one which I must rectify ASAP. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
Let me know what you thought of it when you get around to viewing it.
LikeLike
MIB said:
Oh it will be reviewed on my site, don’t worry! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
Looking forward to it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cavershamragu said:
I remain on the fence about Tornatore’s work – it is certainly ambitious and beautiful (like most Italian flicks) but CINEMA PARADISE is the only one I think really works totally, and not the director’s cut either. Look forward to seeing how la Bellucci does in the new Bond movie
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
I’m also looking forward to seeing Bellucci in Spectre.
LikeLike
alexraphael said:
Not heard of it but curious. As always a great review. And yes, she does happen to be quite attractive haha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
You should watch it Alex, quite a moving film.
LikeLike
alexraphael said:
I come back having seen it, and your review is superb. I didn’t find it as funny as you, but found myself nodding to everything else when reading your take. I don’t think anyone else could have played it. The ending was very fitting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
The sense of melancholy in the film is just right and Monica Bellucci excels at embodying the sadness of the title character.
LikeLiked by 1 person
alexraphael said:
I wish there were more roles of that quality for her. Saying that, she’s in the new Bond film so all good 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
I look forward to seeing her in Spectre.
LikeLiked by 1 person