This is supposed to be an erotic comedy, and is widely acclaimed as such, but I sincerely wonder if it should really be categorized like that. The premise, film poster, light-hearted musical score and even the first 10-15 minutes of the film definitely qualify as a comedy. And a prototypic Italian one to boot, what with the film solely revolving around how Italian men, regardless of age and standing, perceive women.
The plot is simple but ingenious. Ignazio, a clothing store owner in his early fifties and a father of three sons, learns that his dear wife hired the incredibly beautiful Angela as the new housemaid just before her death. The men are promptly infatuated by her. Ignazio wants to marry her, if only he gets the approval of "La Mama", 19-year-old son Nuccio simply wants her as a trophy, but 14-year-old and fresh into puberty Nino is the one who really gets obsessed with Angela.
And creepy Nino's attitude and behavior is exactly what causes - to me, at least - "Malizia" to turn from a harmless comedy into a darkly perverse and occasionally even disturbing coming-of-age drama/thriller. The insufferable little brat puts poor Angela through a whole series of sick & twisted sexual humiliations, and that's just NOT funny! Now, I know the times and perceptions changed a lot, but I can't believe the harassment, voyeurism, and intimidations here were considered a laughing matter 50 years ago? Of course, it doesn't help that young actor Alessandro Momo depicts Nino as a cold, stoic, and genuinely disturbing psychopath.
Nino's dark character undermines the entire film. I couldn't even properly enjoy Laura Antonelli's naturally beauty, and the few full-frontal nudity sequences she has are entirely ruined because she simultaneously gets assaulted by a creepy little perv. Luckily, for laughter's sake, the youngest son Enzio keeps the film a bit comical, like when he runs away from kissing the grandmother because "she smells funny".
