Malena

53%

Tomatometer

79 Reviews

84%

Audience Score

25,000+ Ratings

In 1941, Renato was 13 years old and although the world was at war, nothing ever happened in this sleepy village in Sicily. Until the day he discovered something that would change his life forever... Malna, the beautiful young war widow who was the obsession of every man and the envy of every woman. Because of her, Renato will come to learn all of life's lessons and find himself in places he never could have imagined.

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Where to Watch

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Apple TV

Rent Malena on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Malena

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Malena ends up objectifying the character of the movie's title. Also, the young boy's emotional investment with Malena is never convincing, as she doesn't feel like a three-dimensional person.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (79) Critics Reviews

Stanley Kauffmann

The New Republic

A film about Malena herself, her travails, the deep-reaching conclusion, would have been much more interesting and original, but Tornatore is mired in cliches.

Jan 8, 2018

Full Review

Globe and Mail

Rated: 3/4

Mar 22, 2002

Full Review

Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

Rated: 3.5/5

Jun 4, 2001

Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

It enjoys a certain Mediterranean beauty on the visual side, but not even the dazzling presence of Monica Bellucci prevents the coming-of-age fable from collapsing down common and boring paths. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 5/10

Jan 22, 2024

Full Review

Mark Steyn

The Spectator

Malena poses as a bounteously endowed, ripe, curvy Italian mamma, but metaphorically it's an undernourished cadaverous Kate Moss of a movie.

Jan 25, 2018

Full Review

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

Malna barely speaks a word in the film, but Belucci makes a role that is written as a symbol into a full-blooded person.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 15, 2010

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1000+) audience reviews

Toki This film is different from what it seems. It has unique meaning. Watch it till the end patiently. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/25/22 Full Review maria p I never get bored of this movie. It holds so well in the passing years. I watched when I was young and it gave me a strong impression that I can't check off. I think I'll the intolerance and injustice portrayed in the movie makes me want to be better than the town people. Is just nice when I movie gives meaning to you in a way that it can improve you. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Malèna's plot would give a first impression that it's void. However, the WW2 setting really helps, turning it into a rich plot. It is understandable how some scenes may seem irrelevant, or even unacceptable by today's standards, but they're essential in translating the amorous feelings of the boy (Renato) and the melancholic ones of the woman (Malèna). The director is also very attentive to details. Monica Bellucci, Giuseppe Sulfaro, and Giuseppe Tornatore form the perfect combination. And the other actors' performances are no less sincere. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/29/23 Full Review Ashutosh S This is the only movie that seriously shows the sexuality of teenage boys from a teenage boy's point of view. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/01/22 Full Review Audience Member Shot in my Sicily. La Cucinotta needed to be in this film, not Bellucci Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review kevin c In a small town in Italy where rumours and gossip abound, a teenage boy obsessed with the most beautiful woman in town played effortlessly by Monica Bellucci, spends his days daydreaming of her and nights spying on her. Set during wartime, this is a pretty great movie of a boy on the verge of manhood and how the rumours the town perceives as true can dismantle lives. Funny and insightful and Bellucci is exquisite. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Malena

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Giuseppe Tornatore Director Monica Bellucci Malèna Scordia Giuseppe Sulfaro Renato Amoroso Luciano Federico Renato's Father Matilde Piana Renato's Mother Pietro Notarianni Professor Bonsignore

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

More Like This

View All Best Movies to Stream at Home

43% 35% Committed 46% 47% Holy Smoke 80% 84% Strawberry and Chocolate 39% 27% Full Frontal 73% 72% Buffalo Soldiers Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Photos

View All Malena photos

Malena

Malena (2000)

View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In 1941, Renato was 13 years old and although the world was at war, nothing ever happened in this sleepy village in Sicily. Until the day he discovered something that would change his life forever... Malna, the beautiful young war widow who was the obsession of every man and the envy of every woman. Because of her, Renato will come to learn all of life's lessons and find himself in places he never could have imagined.

Director: Giuseppe Tornatore
Producer: Carlo Bernasconi, Harvey Weinstein
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax Films, Pacific Pictures, Medusa Produzione
Rating: R (Language|Sexuality|Nudity|Some Violence)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: Italian
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 15, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.4M
Runtime: 1h 46m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)