Italian movie Malèna (2000) is directed by the great Giuseppe Tornatoro, who is well-known for his movie Cinema Paradiso. The movie illustrates the life of a stunning woman, Malèna, and how a young handsome boy by the name of Renato witnesses how her life alters during the Second World War. The themes of the movie cover love, jealousy, loneliness, and the cruelty people exhibit towards those whom they do not understand.
This film is accompanied by a bone-chilling performance by the talented Monica Bellucci, which is composed of breathtaking visuals and an astonishing score made by Ennio Morricone. This film is more than the sheer definition of beauty; it depicts the difficulties an individual has to go through when there is an absence of understanding.
Story Summary
The plot begins in a little village located in Sicily, Italy, where the Second World War is about to begin in 1940. The narrative is from the perspective of a boy named Renato Amoroso (Giuseppe Sulfaro) who is about 13 years old. At this age, he is just starting to make sense of the world around him.
One day, Renato notices Malèna Scordia (Monica Bellucci) strolling around the town. Malèna is regarded as the most gorgeous lady in the community and therefore grabs a lot of attention. She is adored by men, envied by women, and young boys like Renato fantasize about her. The husband of Malèna is away in war and once it is revealed that he died, she is left to fend for herself with no shelter and no money.
Initially, folks of the town speculate on her while gossiping. They manufacture stories and claim that she must have clandestine lovers. However, as time elapses, the situation becomes grim for Malena. With no money or family to support her, she is left to fend by herself. In fact, the towns folk who should have offered a helping hand treat her badly instead. The women dislike her even more while the men see her for her outer beauty only which make things worse.
Renato observes this from afar, trying to fathom the situation. He is too young to understand it all holistically, but one thing he knows for sure is that Malena is in pain. Renato wishes to slay all her troubles and stand for her but he is just a powerless child who cannot achieve that.
By the end of the war, Malèna has to fight for her life by resorting to means that she had never imagined. The moment the war ends, the inhabitants of the town turn the blame on her in the most inhumane manner possible. They disgrace her publicly by cutting her hair. A dejected and embarrassed Malèna leaves the town and not too long after, her husband, who everyone assumed was dead, comes back. Malèna and her husband set out together with a hope to start anew. They return to the town for the sake of rebuilding their lives.
The Last Time Renato Sees Malena is when she walks pass him with her husband. At that moment, he finally understands that his feelings for her were never true love but mere admiration along with compassion for someone who had suffered too much.
Main Themes in the Movie
Everyone has an Opinion on Someone without Knowing Them First Hand
Malena has done nothing wrong so why do people care about her beauty so much that it forces them to gossip about her. Women are envious and men covet her. This illustrates the way the world unjustly scrutinizes women.
Growing Up and Understanding the World
The narrative is narrated by Renato, a young boy. To begin, he views Malèna as a stunning, ideal woman, only to learn as he matures that beauty does not ensure fulfillment. Malèna, like many people, leads a life filled with suffering, and Renato discovers that the world is not a soft place.
The Harships of War
War drains not only soldiers but also difficulties for the surviving civilians. Malèna’s husband, her sense of safety, and her self-worth are all lost due to the violence. It highlights how the war has effects far deeper than just the fighting.
Strength and Survival
However, Malèna does not surrender to these horrors. Despite the abuse from the town, she manages to summon enough will to come back with her husband and rebuild them. People can always find the willpower to carry on, even when everything seems in utterly hopeless.
The Acting and Music
Bellucci does not have many words in the role of Malèna but conveys eye-watering emotions. She cannot speak a lot, yet the anguish of her eyes narrates.
Giuseppe Sulfaro plays Renato, the boy who witnesses how Malèna’s life evolves. He is able to capture very well how a child comprehends the world differently from adults.
Of the many beautiful parts of the film, Ennio Morricone’s music stands out as one of the most remarkable. The music puts the observer in a sad yet beautiful and nostalgic state of the story.
How the Movie Looks (Cinematography)
The movie is shot in a fashion that gives everything an old memory feel. The town is small with warm sunlight and stone streets. During the scenes Malèna walks through the town, viewers can see how deeply lonely she is, despite the people that surround her. The director Giuseppe Tornatore ensures that every frame is stunning and heart-wrenchingly sad, and in his words “a canvas”.
What People Think About the Movie
On its release, Malèna earned a number of critiques, ranging from great praise to mixed reviews. Most people praised the movie for its beauty, music and acting, but some felt that Malèna lacked dialogue and that the movie was more about the man’s perspective of her rather than her own.
That said, with the passage of time, Malena has become a classic. It is a film that lingers in your mind because it underlying issues of social injustice, innocent childhood, and the delicateness of positive strength.
Conclusion of the report
What Is The Movie Good At:
✅ Well articulated family drama with captivating visuals.
✅ Monica Bellucci is utterly convincing.
✅ A movie that illustrates the use and abuse of femininity.
✅ Morricone’s music accounts for the enduring quality of the movie.
Total Score: 8.5 out of 10
Malena is one of those films that engages the viewer deeply. It’s much more than just a love story or a ‘war film’. This movie covers growing up, appreciating life and how people treat those who are different.
This is a film that will be kept inside a heart, wholly cherishing it whilst serving as a reminder of the sad realities of the world. If you are a fan of beautiful yet heart aching movies, Malena should definitely be on your to watch list.
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