Rating: 
Summary: Trite, empty, witless, and repellent
Review: Yet another middlebrow cookie-cutter pseudo-art film from Miramax taking on the usual easy targets like Italian fascism. Lush production values are wasted on a practically non-existent plot, a repulsive male main character, and a female lead who remains a cipher throughout the entire film. The male lead's masturbatory obession with Malena is simply embarassing rather than amusing. Male viewers who rent this merely to satisfy their own obsession with Monica Belluci will be equally disappointed in the small number of "good parts" worth fast forwarding to (what few there are is the only reason this film gets two stars).
Rating: 
Summary: A film about the power of lust
Review: I suspect this film will bring back memories of every male's first lustful crush. This film, if anything, exhibits how boys are plowed down by burgeoning sexual desire at the beginning of their teen years and the onset of puberty. Renato, a 12-year-old Italian villager spies Malena one day and is instantly smitten with an infatuation that carries him through some of Italy's darkest days--World War II. The setting of this film against the war is clever on the part of the writers because it gave them a point of comoparison: though the Facist party is very active in Renato's seaside village, he scarcely seems to notice the military parades, decreasing food supplies, and Nazi flags that wave after the German occupation. All of that rich detail is secondary to his feelings for the older, elusive Malena. If that doesn't demonstrate the strength of a young man's desire, I don't know what will. Upon first seeing Malena, Renato begins masturbating and never stops. But this movie doesn't fall into "that" category--it's better, more literary, more expertly written and directed. There's a strong message about the dangers of gossip and rumors, and prejudices against single, beautiful women. The exquisitely beautiful Malena is hated instantly by local women because of the passion she inflames in the men. When news arrives that Malena's husband, Nino, has died in Mussolini's war, the viciousness only intensifies. They refuse to sell her edible food, scandalize her name and ruin her chances to support herself in any respectable way. She's forced to become what everyone pegged her for all along: a prostititute. Through it all, Renato admires her from afar (and through the windows). while he grows up in the midst of war and chaos, all the while maintaining a beautiful innocence not easy to come by in a time of war.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: A beautiful portrayal of not only the coming-of-age of a young boy, but also an interesting look into the period in which the film represents. It was one of those movies that was so interesting, yet hurt so much to watch as the story just kept getting more intense and heartbreaking. Much in the same way that "the Talented Mr. Ripley" was both fascinating and devastating, Malena definitely makes you sit very still until the credits roll.
Rating:
Summary: Benissimo! Molto bravo attore e attrice!
Review: There are many movies that you can watch once and not care to see it anytime soon. Not so with this movie. It is so spellbinding. You don't have to know Italian (and the subtitles help, and seem to be pretty accurate to the dialog) to appreciate this movie. Monica Bellucci is absolutely gorgeous, and the little boy who becomes enthralled with Malena is an amazingly talented kid for his first movie. I've seen this movie now 4 times, and have not tired of it. Fantastico!
Rating:
Summary: Where's the beef?
Review: Hey, first of all, Let me see the REAL MOVIE deserves five stars. But for this, It deserves two, and a lecture to the american distributors. I watched the movie and it turned to be the American Version (that means, the clean version). The Original version includes the extended passionate scenes of Malena and Amoroso, deleted by the inquisitorian hand of Miramax Films. Disney did it again. How come we expect the real deal if they cut boobs and butts when they are part of the story? Actually, you cannot mess with Monica Belluci's body, probably the most beautiful in Italy. So we movie lovers expect an apology. Miramax and Medusa films have to release an unrated version, I'm getting tired of scissors in movies, as Giuseppe Tornatore protested in "Cinema Paradiso". I'm pretty sure he's very angry with what they did with this beautiful movie.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and moving!
Review: Malena is yet another beautiful and moving independant Italian movie in a growing list of fabulous Italian movies such as Il Postino (same director as Malena) and Life is Beautiful.
The first draw is the tasteful and striking can't-help-it beauty of the protagonist. This model-turned-actress fills the role beautifully and with subtle acting of a much more experienced actor. Also of interest is the time-period -- 1930 thru 1946 (or so) Italy, a favorite of mine. The setting is of interest in this small Italian city with narrow streets and rocky sea-shore. The music is noteworthy as well, nostalgic, and provided by a musical director of considerable experience and accomplishments. But what makes the movie is the acting of the young boy. It may seem to be a directorial risk to pair a 1st time boy actor with a model-turned actress -- but the acting is nothing short of first-rate. The whole movie is told from the boy viewpoint which makes this coming-of-age slash loss-of-innocence movie truly unique. Funny at times, and dramatic at others, this movie should not be missed!
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not great.
Review: If I could give 3 and a half stars I would, as although this movie is pretty good, it's not quite worthy of a 4. I won't bore you with the story, as you can read that in numerous other reviews. It's an impressive film debut by Giuseppe Sulfaro, who gives a mature performance as the boy who is secretly in love with Malena. Monica Bellucci is also good although for a lot of the film she doesn't actually say that much, the part often requiring her to simply walk past lots of leering boys/men. The expression on her face alone often speaks volumes though. There is one scene which was no doubt demanding for Monica, and is quite hard to watch, and if you haven't yet seen Malena, you'll know exactly what scene I mean when you get to it. There are also several comedy moments in the film, one of my favourites being when Renato (the boy) is found asleep by his dad wearing a pair of knickers on his head!. Another is when Renato's mum thinks her son is possessed by the devil, and the dad points out ... Also worth mentioning is the cinematography, which is absolutely brilliant. Something I would of liked to have seen in the film (and I'm not necessarily saying it would of made it better), is Malena and the boy developing some kind of friendship and repsect for each other. Though the boy clearly looks out for her, she never knows this, and they don't even speak to each other until the very end of the movie. Overall then, a reasonably enjoyable movie with 2 good lead performances (particularly the boy), a good music score (Morricone), some often funny moments, and stunning cinematography. Just don't expect it to match the likes of Cinema Paradiso or Life is beautiful.
Rating: 
Summary: Great movie - too bad it was sanitized for Americans
Review: This is a classic story that reveals some of the uglier sides of human nature. Monica Bellucci is amazingly beautiful - I'm surprised she hasn't had wider exposure. She may be the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. It's a great story but parts were cut out of the original to sell it to the prudish American audience. Still, well worth watching.
Rating:
Summary: a Flashback in time
Review: You can not miss it.....It's there...The "chef d'oeuvre" is so realistic, so close, that it will entrap you. So transparent that you can feel the light wind of the summer time blowing into your hair, that you'll smell the trees aroma at the dawn by the seashore, and definitely taste the salty morning wind on your lips. The movie entraped me to the point I found myself along the Renato's clan,dreaming while staring at Malena, providing me with strong sensations of Youth drunkness; this kind of sensations I didn't have since my teenage. The movie will make you a bit dizzy, light headed, but that kind of "upfeeling" so delicious you don't want to wake up from....
Rating:
Summary: Most beautiful woman I have seen on screen
Review: A pretty good movie. Not very realistic. Has some good insight into the male mind. Mostly, I think it is a movie for looking at one of the most beautiful woman alive.
| 
