Malèna (2000)

Director:

Giuseppe Tornatore

Writers:

Giuseppe Tornatore (writer)
Luciano Vincenzoni (story)

Release Date:

27 October 2000 (Italy)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance | War

Tagline:

An intimate portrait and an epic story of the courage we discover, the innocence we surrender, and the memories we cherish.....forever.

Plot:

A woman provokes sensual awakenings in a group of adolescent boys.

Plot Keywords:

1940s | Grief | Italy | Topless Female Nudity | Crying

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 16 nominations

Cast

Monica Bellucci	...	Malèna Scordia
Giuseppe Sulfaro	...	Renato Amoroso
Luciano Federico	...	Renato's Father
Matilde Piana	...	Renato's Mother
Pietro Notarianni	...	Professor Bonsignore
Gaetano Aronica	...	Nino Scordia
Gilberto Idonea	...	Avvocato Centorbi (as Gilberto Idone)
Angelo Pellegrino	...	Segretario politico
Gabriella Di Luzio	...	Mantenuta del Barone
Pippo Provvidenti	...	Dott. Cusimano
Maria Terranova	...	Moglie Dott. Cusimano
Marcello Catalano	...	Lieutenant Cadel
Elisa Morucci	...	Lupetta
Domenico Gennaro	...	Farmacista
Vitalba Andrea	...	Moglie farmacista

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality/nudity, language and some violence.

Runtime:

109 min | USA:92 min (heavily cut) | Turkey:84 min (TV version)

Country:

Italy | USA

Language:

Italian | Sicilian | English | Latin

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:14A (Ontario) | Iceland:12 | Malaysia:18SX | New Zealand:M | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Chile:14 | Finland:K-15 | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Italy:T | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 (re-rating) | Portugal:M/16 (original rating) | Singapore:M18 (re-rating) | South Korea:18 | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Messina, Sicily, Italy

Company:

Medusa Produzione

Goofs:

Continuity: After Renato passes out, he is in his mother's lap. His arm position changes between shots.

Quotes:

Renato Amoroso: From now on, I'll be at your side. Forever, I promise. Just give me time to grow up.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in One Minutes (2009)

Soundtrack:

Ma l'amore no

Beautiful and sad film

I do not remember who, but some critic, complained about not knowing what Malena thought and not being able to see her act and speak more in a movie...

I am sure all of us, especially in our childhoods, were once so deeply infatuated by another human being, that they were as sacred and as untouchable to us as Da Vinci's Giaconda.

That is why Malena is portrayed as a work of art who always looks down, burdened by her beauty. We can only suspect what she feels and we can enjoy the sight of her sad gorgeous face.

And absolutely no words are necessary!

This film compliments the saying: BE BORN HAPPY RATHER THAN BEAUTIFUL

I do agree that Monica Belucci, who I consider to be the most beautiful actress alive and one of the most enchanting beauties in the world, was perfect for this part!