Malèna garnered mixed reviews upon release. Direct link to watch the full movie, is available at the end of this post.
Malèna is a 2000 Italian-American drama film directed by Giuseppe Tornatore, featuring Monica Bellucci and Giuseppe Sulfaro in lead roles. Set against the backdrop of World War II in a small Sicilian town, the film delves into themes of beauty, desire, and societal judgment.
Plot Summary
The narrative unfolds in the fictional town of Castelcutò during the early 1940s. Renato Amoroso, a 13-year-old boy, becomes enamored with Malèna Scordia, a beautiful and enigmatic woman whose husband is away at war.
As Malèna navigates the challenges of being the object of both desire and scorn in a conservative community, Renato’s infatuation grows, leading him to observe her life from a distance. Through his eyes, the audience witnesses Malèna’s struggles with gossip, isolation, and the harsh judgments of society.
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Malèna Movie Cast
Monica Bellucci as Malèna Scordia
Giuseppe Sulfaro as Renato Amoroso
Luciano Federico as Renato’s Father
Matilde Piana as Renato’s Mother
Pietro Notarianni as Professor Bonsignore
Gaetano Aronica as Nino Scordia
Gilberto Idonea as Advocate Centorbi
Angelo Pellegrino as Fascist Party Boss
Production Details
Director: Giuseppe Tornatore
Screenplay: Giuseppe Tornatore, based on a story by Luciano Vincenzoni
Cinematography: Lajos Koltai
Editing: Massimo Quaglia
Music: Ennio Morricone
Production Companies: Medusa Film, Miramax Films, Pacific Pictures, Tele+
Runtime: 109 minutes (Italian version), 92 minutes (U.S. version)
Language: Italian
Release Date: October 27, 2000 (Italy)
Budget and Box Office
Budget: Approximately $20 million
Box Office Gross:
Domestic (U.S. & Canada): $3.45 million
International: $11.05 million
Worldwide Total: $14.5 million
Despite its artistic acclaim, the film did not recoup its production budget at the box office.
Awards and Nominations
Malèna received several accolades and nominations, including:
Academy Awards:
Nominated for Best Cinematography (Lajos Koltai)
Nominated for Best Original Score (Ennio Morricone)
Golden Globe Awards:
Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film
Nominated for Best Original Score
BAFTA Awards:
Nominated for Best Film Not in the English Language
David di Donatello Awards:
Won Best Cinematography
Nominated for Best Original Score, Best Production Design, and Best Costume Design
Cabourg Film Festival:
Won Grand Prix
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Soundtrack
The film’s score, composed by Ennio Morricone, was lauded for its emotive depth and was integral to the film’s atmosphere. The soundtrack received nominations for both the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Original Score.
Critical Reception
Malèna garnered mixed reviews upon release. Critics praised Monica Bellucci’s performance and the film’s cinematography but critiqued its narrative depth. Roger Ebert noted the film’s attempt to blend themes of beauty and societal judgment but questioned its sincerity in execution.