MovieChat Forums > Malèna (2001) Discussion > What's wrong with you, critics?

What's wrong with you, critics?

posted 9 years ago by cnhajzwgz
6 replies | jump to latest

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1101561-1101561-malena/

Seriously?? "Misogynist"? "Objectifying"? That's all you got out of this movie??

“It objectifies the title character.” – That’s exactly the point. She is objectified. Italy is raped. That's what the director wants to show to us.

“She doesn’t feel like a 3D person.” – That’s because Malèna’s a fricking METAPHOR. How about broadening your view on visual language a bit?

There's clearly more than one layer of political and religious metaphors. I'm so in awe these critics didn't even get to the first layer of the message (a rather cliché feminists' manifesto against repression and objectification of women) and concluded it was "misogynist".

[–] Airman87 9 years ago

It is only the last 30 minutes (basically everything after the scene in which the Americans parade into town declaring victory and Malena is beaten) where the real Italian flare comes in, and everything before it - a good portion of the movie - is lacking the emotional passion many people were expecting.

Most of the movie featured doleful characters, sluggish storytelling, and an aimless outcome.

_______
When logic and science aren't on your side, you always lose.

[–] FirstBlood1982 8 years ago

I found it to be a great genre bender that was emotionally resonant as well as very amusing with colorful characters all over the place, couldn't disagree more with your view of this film.

+++by His wounds we are healed. - Isaiah 53:5+++

[–] marineproductions1 9 years ago

It's a superb movie I believe. These critics don't know *beep*

[–] androooid91 8 years ago

They lost me after I saw critics tomatometer(grade) for the movie "SPY".
I know its different genre, but still.

Critics are grading movies like this very harsh, but giving comedies good or solid reviews very easily.

[–] jones7418 8 years ago

Most of today's film critics know nothing of World War 2 or even Sicilian people and customs for that matter. It went totally over their heads; it was the boy's story more so than Malena's. Maybe that is what confused them?

[–] joaoiria2 8 years ago

Thank you! I am incredibly confused by the low RT score and could not believe how misunderstood the movie was by the critics. As you said Malena is a metaphor and the movie is an incredible piece of commentary on how society looks at beautiful women.
During the first half we are laughing with the characters and seeing these actions as hilarious and just normal in our society and then the movie hits us with our own flaws by addhering to the laughter and whimsy of the first half, realizing the cruelness and mysogonistic behaviour of this society and everyone's actions towards Malena.
The story is also about the young boy seeing Malena finally as a human being and not just the object of his fantasies. You are seeing it through his eyes, he doesn't know her so obviously we can't know her either! I am surprised to see that critics and audiences failed to see this!

I loved the movie just watched it on the big screen for the first time at a film festival with Monica Belluci presenting it.