Review of Malena (2000) by Andrew C — 26 May 2008

I always avoided this one for some reason, had I know that it was from the director of Cinema Paradiso I would have watched it ages ago. It's a lovely coming of age/sex comedy set in wartime italy as young 12 year old Renato idolises and lusts over the unattainable figure of Malena (Monica Bellucci, who spends the entire film looking amazing). As we progress through the war and Renato learns more about her other than her stunning looks we understand how vunerable she is - check out that scene where she is battered and bruised by the women of the town for being a whore to the germans - like she had a choice in the matter anyway..

It looks gorgeous and has a great soundtrack from the masterful Ennio Morricone. I might pick this up when it gets released here at some point.