Waste of time

I like Black Panther, but I didn't like this movie.

A lot of fun.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Through a 12-year-old boy's view, we saw Malèna, a woman suffered from her beauty. At the same time, we can also see how rumors, jealousy and appearance have a huge influence on an innocent and helpless woman...Thus she has no choice but to choose the worst way to make living... Besides, the saddest scene to me is the punishment to Malèna after winning the war. We were helpless like Giuseppe, who was powerless to save her and fight against the community. However, in the end this movie seems to let Malèna have a hopeful life after the back of her husband. I love this movie because I can truly experience the vivid history of the era and see how small things make huge influence through the story line.

one of films by Giuseppe Tornatore. that could be the best definition. because the film has the same special aura, humor, delicacy to explore the detail, mixture of beauty and sadness, melancholy and status of slice from lost golden age. a film about war. and about people. precise manner to create a role who seems be shadow of profound silence by Monica Belucci. impressive performance of Giuseppe Sulfaro. and the inspired atmosphere. a film who use in wise manner the appearances. because it seems be full of sexuality and teenager's dreams, about hate, intolerance and verdicts. in fact, it is only a declaration about small things who defines every day life. cruel. and fascinated. beautiful. and mysterious. a sketch who becomes with each new line fascinating. a film about a meeting. and about first step of a boy in the discover the life.

This is a fabulous vehicle to showcase the physical beauty of Monica Bellucci. She is truly an eye candy.But as cinema it falls apart if you are a cinephile like its director Tornatore, The second half of the film is too close to the tale of David Lean's "Ryan's Daughter" (made 30 years before this film) for comfort. Screenplay writer Vincenzoni and Tornatore have cobbled up a tale that could be called "Ryan's Daughter in Italy." This is Tornatore's weakest work I have seen. As in "Cinema Paradiso" and "Baaria," Tornatore shows his passion for cinema by morphing the lead actors in scenes from famous films.Tornatore must have always wanted to showcase Bellucci ever since he made "Malena" so much that he got Bellucci to do a topless sex scene in "Baaria," which was totally gratuitous.If you really want to appreciate the creativity of both Tornatore and Morricone, (the composer has provided music for all Tornatore films, I believe), see Tornatore's "The Legend of 1900."

Malena is an excellent film if one realizes the camera is seeing the world through the eyes of 12 year old Renato. It is a bit cockeyed, however, if one assumes that the camera is showing the real world. For example, when Renato's father is asked to discipline his son, he is shown using futile, feminine-like slaps while threatening a beating. But this is Renato's view of his father and should not be taking as an actual depiction of the father.Understanding that what you see is Renato's take on the world and not the actual world is difficult. There is no narrative by Renato. Usually, the camera is not positioned where Renato is but observes his behavior from a distance. Often, there are scenes in which Renato is not even present. However, by the time Renato is shown rescuing Malena while parachuting in with a blazing gun, it should be obvious that camera is showing what is in Renato's mind, not an objective view of the world.Once it is understood, that we are seeing what Renato understands, the somewhat cuckoo behavior of Malena, the townspeople, officials, and others makes sense. Otherwise, as other reviewers have noted, the film is not a representative slice of life. However, it is a very good representation of what a horny adolescent might think