The 12-year old Renato falls in love with the beautiful Malena in another masterpiece by director Giuseppe Tornatore. Situated in the little town of Sicily, Malena is a story of unbelievable love and courage, and of struggles and resiliency.
The plot revolves around a boy who undergoes his adolescence stage. Like any other boys in town Renato fantasized Malena. But unlike all other boys he is with, he goes beyond just waiting in the seawall to watch her pass. He follows her wherever she goes, comes to her home at some nights, and even imagines her with him in bed. Renato is a representation of what reality is for most teenagers. During those ages they tend to start choosing what they want, demanding parents for some changes in the way they’re treated and trying to fit into the adult world. He is a symbol of struggle into finding his way to reach adulthood. He also showed the essence of unrequited love and lack of courage. Later he gained strength to reveal his feelings that in the last scene he managed to come close to Malena and finally talked to her.
Malena, who’s mocked by the town’s people for her dangerous beauty remained to be a faithful and loyal wife to a soldier. Her husband unfortunately was reported to have died in the war, leaving Malena broken and lonely. As a daughter Malena has also been a loving and tender one. She takes good care of her deft father. She rarely talks; she is passive. She is an object of Renato’s affection, and so fort as the town’s gossip and insecurity. She is someone who tried her very best to keep herself strong in spite of all the struggles she is facing. Later she came into the moment where she had no any other choice but to go with the flow just to remain alive. It is a clear sign of weakness and downfall. Eventually Malena regained everything she lost during the chaotic happenings of her life with the comeback of her beloved husband. And she lived peacefully then.
The setting and costumes is well enough to set the mood of a simple little town with big problems caused by little brains. The society lived by the characters are quite disturbing but very realistic. On the other hand, the music was very suitable for some scenes including the one which Malena danced alone. The melancholic sounds of Renato watching her from afar makes watchers feel the emotion of the boy. The music and sound were in conclusion effective enough. As for the sex, it wasn’t use to save the movie. It wasn’t a very important element then because for me Monica Belucci is a sex symbol herself.
Overall the movie hit points on adolescence, unrequited love, and courage. The letter was a very crucial motif. It evolved from something of fear and hiding into a symbol of courage and strength to finally speak up what Renato feels. The reiteration of it from the ones being thrown to the sea, the one anonymously sent to Malena’s father, and the one he intentionally sent to Malena’s husband was established well.
I couldn’t point any negative side of the movie. I was entertained that even if I repeat it a couple of times I still would feel the joy of a viewer. All I could recommend is that they make a remake of it so that many could watch and enjoy it also.
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