MALENA

2001

If you have more than an ounce of Sicilian blood in your body, as I do, then you'll probably see this movie in a different way than will others less fortunate! This tragicomedy is the story of a young Sicilian boy who falls in love, obsessively, and secretly with the town beauty, who is ostrasized by the rest of the community in the closing years of World War II. It's Sicilian soul comes out in: the operatic highs and lows of the characters emotions; the dramatic contrasts of the blue sea, the creamy architecture, and the blacks of the clothing; the hilarious humor of Sicilian family life (which some will find crude and ignorant...which it is;) the beautiful musical score; the matriarchal nature of the Sicilian family and town and the quick shifts from comedy to tragedy. Monica Belluci's beauty is stunning as Malena, and Giuseppe Sulfaro as young Renato is in turns funny, stupid, awkward, pathetic. In short, age 12! The story shows us the townsfolks fickle transition from their idolatry of Mussolini to their quick shift to idolatry of the American "liberators." Once again, purely Sicilian. Have some Sicilian wine and then go to see this film; you'll love it.

5 Stars

NJB