Malena

The latest spellbinding, fable-like reminiscence from sentimental period director Giuseppe Tornatore (Cinema Paradiso), Malena portrays a 13-year-old boy's entranced fixation with the most beautiful and voluptuous belle in his village (Monica Bellucci), whose innate sexual ambrosia has always brought her nothing but trouble. Men find her utterly irresistible, while women consider her a hussy and born home wrecker. When World War II takes her husband and the Nazis occupy their idyllic seaside Italian village, young compulsive admirer Renato (Giuseppe Sulfaro) can only watch as financial necessity forces his fantasy girl to become the harlot that disapproving gossips have already labeled her with their lustful and spiteful stares. At once charming and tragic, Malena is warm, poignant and beautifully crafted. But it's the performances of the two leads--who scarcely interact at all--that make the movie so outstanding. Highly recommended. (R. Blackwelder)[DVD Review—Oct. 25, 2011—Echo Bridge, 92 min., R, $6.99—Making its second appearance on DVD, 2000's Malèna sports a solid transfer but no special features. Bottom line: a winning film at a bargain price.]