Malena

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Malena

R

Released Dec 25, 2000

1h 46m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

54%

Tomatometer

78 Reviews

84%

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25,000+ Ratings

In 1941, Renato was 13 years old and although the world was at war, nothing ever happened in this sleepy village in Sicily. Until the day he discovered something that would change his life forever... Malna, the beautiful young war widow who was the obsession of every man and the envy of every woman. Because of her, Renato will come to learn all of life's lessons and find himself in places he never could have imagined.

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Critics Consensus

Malena ends up objectifying the character of the movie's title. Also, the young boy's emotional investment with Malena is never convincing, as she doesn't feel like a three-dimensional person.

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Stanley Kauffmann

The New Republic

A film about Malena herself, her travails, the deep-reaching conclusion, would have been much more interesting and original, but Tornatore is mired in cliches.

Jan 8, 2018

Full Review

Globe and Mail

Rated: 3/4

Mar 22, 2002

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Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

Rated: 3.5/5

Jun 4, 2001

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

It enjoys a certain Mediterranean beauty on the visual side, but not even the dazzling presence of Monica Bellucci prevents the coming-of-age fable from collapsing down common and boring paths. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 5/10

Jan 22, 2024

Full Review

Mark Steyn

The Spectator

Malena poses as a bounteously endowed, ripe, curvy Italian mamma, but metaphorically it's an undernourished cadaverous Kate Moss of a movie.

Jan 25, 2018

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Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

Malna barely speaks a word in the film, but Belucci makes a role that is written as a symbol into a full-blooded person.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 15, 2010

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Priyan B

An hard hitting love story. 7.9/10

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/19/24

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June U

I think it portrayed very well how the emotions of communities work, especially in small communities. People tend to put something that they don’t understand into the typical stereotyping and feel that they understand. It was scary to see how far people can go to prove that they are right.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/18/24

Full Review

maria p

I never get bored of this movie. It holds so well in the passing years. I watched when I was young and it gave me a strong impression that I can't check off. I think I'll the intolerance and injustice portrayed in the movie makes me want to be better than the town people. Is just nice when I movie gives meaning to you in a way that it can improve you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Malèna's plot would give a first impression that it's void. However, the WW2 setting really helps, turning it into a rich plot. It is understandable how some scenes may seem irrelevant, or even unacceptable by today's standards, but they're essential in translating the amorous feelings of the boy (Renato) and the melancholic ones of the woman (Malèna). The director is also very attentive to details. Monica Bellucci, Giuseppe Sulfaro, and Giuseppe Tornatore form the perfect combination. And the other actors' performances are no less sincere.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

Full Review

Ashutosh S

This is the only movie that seriously shows the sexuality of teenage boys from a teenage boy's point of view.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/01/22

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Audience Member

Shot in my Sicily. La Cucinotta needed to be in this film, not Bellucci

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

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Giuseppe Tornatore

Director

Monica Bellucci

Malèna Scordia

Giuseppe Sulfaro

Renato Amoroso

Luciano Federico

Renato's Father

Matilde Piana

Renato's Mother

Pietro Notarianni

Professor Bonsignore

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Synopsis

In 1941, Renato was 13 years old and although the world was at war, nothing ever happened in this sleepy village in Sicily. Until the day he discovered something that would change his life forever... Malna, the beautiful young war widow who was the obsession of every man and the envy of every woman. Because of her, Renato will come to learn all of life's lessons and find himself in places he never could have imagined.

Director: Giuseppe Tornatore
Producer: Carlo Bernasconi, Harvey Weinstein
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax Films, Pacific Pictures, Medusa Produzione
Rating: R (Nudity|Language|Sexuality|Some Violence)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: Italian
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 15, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.4M
Runtime: 1h 46m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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