Malèna (2000, ITA/USA) C-92m. *** D: Giuseppe Tornatore. Starring Monica Bellucci, Giuseppe Sulfaro, Luciano Federico, Matilde Piana, Pietro Notarianni. Well-directed, beautifully photographed drama setin WW2 Sicily, Italy, where a sexy woman (Bellucci) turns basically all men's heads. Her husband is at the front, thus making her the target of speculation. We are told the story from teh point of view of an adolescent boy who falls in love with her. Funny, elegant, expertly handled by Tornatore (CINEMA PARADISO), despite some plot deficiencies. Good score by Ennio Morricone. Original Italian running time: 109m. English title: MALENA.



© Ron Altman