Review of Malena (2000) by Helen V — 14 Dec 2015
I don't agree with the critics who say this film objectifies Malena. It shows her through the eyes of the men who objectify her and the women who dehumanise her. We know there is much more to Melana than we see but we never get to know her as no one apart from her husband and Renaldo care about her as a person.
Her character retains dignity throughout. The acting is fantastic. Bellucci plays her with sensitivity and restraint which makes her emotions all the more pertinent when she does give way to them. I really felt her pride and suffering.
The film comments on the worst aspects of humanity. with it' war background and in the foreground pettiness, idle gossip and moral hypocrisy. Melana is eventual driven by the town into doing that which she is accused of in order to survive' but but retains a purity and emotional honesty.
Renaldo is emotionally more mature than the adults around him, played with great humour a slave to his hormones yet inspite of this he retains a purity of heart just like the woman he wishes he could protect.
There marvelous comic relief especially from Renaldo's family and their melodramatic handling of his adolescent antics. A film with heart soul and a great sense of humour. The viciousness hard to watch at times.
but Malena remains quietly triumphant.
This review of Malena (2000) was written by Helen V on 14 Dec 2015.
Malena has generally received positive reviews.
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