If you judged it solely by the first 30 minutes, you'd probably think that "Malena" was little more than an Italian version of the "Porky's" movies.
Not that the hour or so that follows is really any better than that. In fact, this clunky tragic comedy becomes so overwhelmingly, oppressively dark in the second half that the initial onslaught of sleazy, coming-of-age comedy is almost preferable. All that, in spite of the fact that, early on at least, the film seems like little more than an excuse to display the film's leading lady, the admittedly attractive Monica Bellucci, in various states of undress.
To some, that might not be sound like such a bad idea. But it smacks of a desperation move for Italian director Giuseppe Tornatore, who has at least two very good movies to his credit (1994's "A Pure Formality" and 1988's Oscar-winning "Cinema Paradiso").
But here, he blunders his way down — rather than lightly treading — the tightrope that separates restraint and exploitation, as well as that between subtlety and heavy-handedness.
The title character of the film (Bellucci) is an Italian newlywed who's just arrived in tiny Castelcuto, and whose husband has been sent off to fight for his country in World War II.
Since she hasn't heard from her spouse in weeks, he's feared dead, which has most of the men in the village excited. Soon enough, Malena is fending off proposals from a variety of men, both married and single.
She's also won over nearly all of the village's teen boys, her most ardent admirer being 13-year-old Renato Amoroso (Giuseppe Sulfaro), who dreams of the day he and Malena can be together.
However, even he may not be able to save her when the town's initial ardor for Malena turns to hostility — from Castelcuto's married housewives, who feel threatened by the amount of attention she's receiving.
Of Tornatore's numerous filmmaking mistakes here, the worst may be his sandwiching two seemingly incompatible elements — broad sexual humor and serious social commentary — which are brought together without much of a transition.
His pacing is also suspect, considering how quickly the film bogs down (it seems much longer than its relatively brief running time). However, with cinematographer Lajos Koltai, he does capture some beautiful images of Sicily.
Tornatore is also bailed out — to a small degree — by his cast, which includes newcomer Sulfaro, who has an engaging presence (despite the amount of smarmy dialogue he's given), as well as Bellucci, who brings a certain amount of dignity to a film that would have otherwise been lacking any.
"Malena" is rated R for crude sexual humor and use of suggestive slang terms, wartime violence and a brutal attack on a woman (by other women), scattered strong profanity, female nudity and scenes depicting sexual activities. Running time: 92 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com