As Italy enters WWII, a teenage boy in a small, narrow-minded Sicilian town becomes obsessed with a young woman.As Italy enters WWII, a teenage boy in a small, narrow-minded Sicilian town becomes obsessed with a young woman.As Italy enters WWII, a teenage boy in a small, narrow-minded Sicilian town becomes obsessed with a young woman.
- Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 7 wins & 21 nominations total
Gilberto Idonea
- Avvocato Centorbi
- (as Gilberto Idone)
Giuseppe Pattavina
- Pretore
- (as Pippo Pattavina)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaMonica Bellucci had to learn Sicilian for the role, a dialect that is noticeably different from her native Italian.
- GoofsThe bike that Renato rides, suddenly has a modern derailleur-type chain tensioner at the rear at about 20-21 minutes into the film. At all other times, his bike has a fixed rear gear without the chain tensioner.
- Quotes
[last lines]
Renato Amoroso: I pedaled as fast as I could... as if I were escaping from longing, from innocence, from her. Time has passed, and I have loved many women. And as they've held me close... and asked if I will remember them I've said, "Yes, I will remember you." But the only one I've never forgotten is the one who never asked... Malena.
- Crazy creditsThe movie is dedicated to Tornatore's Father
- Alternate versionsOriginal Italian version (rated T, suitable for everyone of all ages) runs 108 minutes. Miramax cut 16 minutes of the film down to a running time of around 92 minutes, in order to obtain an R rating. Gone or shortened were many of Renato's dream sequences with Malena which involve a lot more nudity than in the cut version.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 58th Annual Golden Globe Awards 2001 (2001)
Featured review
I do not remember who, but some critic, complained about not knowing what Malena thought and not being able to see her act and speak more in a movie...
I am sure all of us, especially in our childhoods, were once so deeply infatuated by another human being, that they were as sacred and as untouchable to us as Da Vinci's Giaconda.
That is why Malena is portrayed as a work of art who always looks down, burdened by her beauty. We can only suspect what she feels and we can enjoy the sight of her sad gorgeous face.
And absolutely no words are necessary!
This film compliments the saying: BE BORN HAPPY RATHER THAN BEAUTIFUL
I do agree that Monica Belucci, who I consider to be the most beautiful actress alive and one of the most enchanting beauties in the world, was perfect for this part!
I am sure all of us, especially in our childhoods, were once so deeply infatuated by another human being, that they were as sacred and as untouchable to us as Da Vinci's Giaconda.
That is why Malena is portrayed as a work of art who always looks down, burdened by her beauty. We can only suspect what she feels and we can enjoy the sight of her sad gorgeous face.
And absolutely no words are necessary!
This film compliments the saying: BE BORN HAPPY RATHER THAN BEAUTIFUL
I do agree that Monica Belucci, who I consider to be the most beautiful actress alive and one of the most enchanting beauties in the world, was perfect for this part!
- carpediem76
- Feb 2, 2006
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- Malèna
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $3,448,233
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $62,282
- Dec 25, 2000
- Gross worldwide
- $14,493,284
- Runtime1 hour 48 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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