Customer Reviews

Malena (2000 Film)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ennio Morricone's score to MALENA is totally original, but totally Morricone at the same time. Perhaps that's why one disgruntled reviewer felt there were too many similarities to another of his scores. My musical ear does not hear what he hears. And another reviewer sadly stated that you can sum up the Maestro's entire career in 6 albums, and proceeded to name them. Unfortunately, the 6 cds he named are all from a Morricone "later period" [roughly '86 - '98] and, thus, only cover a small fraction of his range and genius. You'd be missing that most wonderful period from '70 - '76, or thereabout, that for many of us diehards defines a big part of the Morricone mystique. [Those totally original and extremely creative and unforgettable scores for THE BURGLARS, A FISTFUL OF DYNAMITE [A/K/A DUCK, YOU SUCKER], LE PROFESSIONEL, VERUSCHKA, etc., etc. Not to mention even earlier masterpieces as diverse as METTI UNA SERA A CENA, THE LADY CALIPH, AND ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST.]

There simply is no greater movie score composer, and it's hard to peg just one Morricone "sound," because the Maestro's genius is just too big. Quite plainly, no one has created a body of work for movie music that is as diverse, and at the same time, so distinct and identifiable. In a nutshell, that is the genius of Morricone.

Now, for the music to MALENA. I can't imagine how it could have better captured the feel of what happened on the screen, and, at the same time, elevate the story, and become a character in itself. It's also wonderful how Morricone used a period song, written by D'Anzi & Galdieri, "Ma, l'amore no!" to accentuate the story. What a beautiful addition to the movie, what an unforgettable melody, how absolutely brilliant and evocative!! If I have a complaint, it's that the original sung version of the tune [which we hear a few times in the movie, when Malena dances with the picture of her missing-in-action husband, etc.]is not included, rather, a lovely and fully orchestral version by the Maestro is featured on the album. Also, one of my other favorite original themes is not isolated, but always combined with either an action cue or another theme. I would have liked one version of this theme by itself.

The score to MALENA, while perhaps not Morricone's VERY best, still represents the absolute best of his work. Yo Yo Ma, in fact, included the main theme in his Morricone tribute album, which has been one of the biggest "classical" cds of the year.

TOTALLY and thoroughly enjoyable, very satisfying, and highly recommended.

Walking into the theatre to see this film, I had no idea that Ennio Morricone composed the score. Once I heard the music, though, my heart sunk. I knew it was him as soon as I heard it. The "Malena" soundtrack is somewhat reminiscent of his soundtrack for Adrian Lyne's "Lolita". There were a few spots in the film where I had flashbacks of certain scenes in that film. The music is absolutely gorgeous. It is extremely emotional. The film itself changes emotion so often and the music always fits the scene. Even if you haven't seen the film, buying this soundtrack is definitely worth it. You don't necessairly need the visuals to enjoy the music (although I would reccomend the film also).

Moody, sensual, imaginative, classy, nostalgic, and... perfect for the movie! This new Morricone score lives up to expectations and also marks one of the highest point in his fourth decade carreer. The movie is brilliant and misterious, and music follows discreetly and subtitles the plot. It is no wonder why this score has earned a nomination for this year's Academy Award: it deserves it!

I'm a huge fan of Morricone, but this CD is not the one to get. Save yourself a lot of money and effort and just get the following: 1. Lolita 2. Love Affair 3. The Mission 4. Once Upon a Time in America 5. Cinema Paradiso 6. Concerto at Santa Cecilia

There, that was easy, wasn't it? Six CD's and you have the breadth of one of the premier composers of the 20th century.

I have never in my life heard such a perfect score for such a perfect movie before, with the acceptions of Amelie and Titanic. The score of this heartrending movie is so beautiful and fresh, filled with so many emotions which provokes the same exact storyline. The song "Malena" (I'm guessing is the theme song) is so beautiful and sounds totally original. Its no wonder this score was Oscar nominated!!! (pssh, should have won)

The man is such a treasure/a living legend. Here again you will experience everything you ever loved about Ennio's music. Many have little idea of the signifance of the music score on a movie. Ennio is pure MAGIC and proves it once again. The movie and CD are both a masterpiece.

As some of the reviewers have mentioned this is not Morricone's best, the main score wich you can listen on the track 1 (wich is lovely) repeats itself in several other ones along the CD with no originality on the other songs as for different versions of the Malena theme. But, and this is a big BUT, if you fell in love with Malena like I did, you would not mind listen it to it again and again a little bit differente every time. Like when she would walk along the beach or go to the piazza in the center of town, the same girl all the time but with a different beautifull look neverthless....

This is a excelent movie, excelent acting,beatifull scenography and vestuary as well. The story is so original that capture the attention of anybody. It is realistic that inspires the viewer to see life with the real taste of love for someone without any interest but the happiness for that person. Malena is the beatifull woman that becomes live by this excelent actress, she represents the suffering of being a "bella" but not having any hate for the people who made her suffer. I recommed this movie for yourself and also as a gift.

What a lovely music.... Ennio Morricone does it again by re-displaying his magic touch of lively and haunting melodies of music. Yeah right..... I saw the movie and music went very well with the movie. I thought, rather, the movie was an average and not an exceptionally interesting. 'Summer of 42' captured the essence of infatuation of liking older women. This movie had too much of realism rather than dreamy fantasy of a young boy. Back to music. I loved the music while watching the movie but had this inkling that I heard these melodies from somewhere. It bothered me. A few years later, as of tonight (20030819), I was compiling some soundtrack collections that I have and I found them. Two movie soundtracks by same composer. 'Malena' and 'Once upon on the time in the America'. Track 2 'Malena' is 99% identical to Track 3 'Deborah's theme'. Melody is same, Notes are identical(should I say identifiable for a couple of different notes here and there that are different), and pace is the same. And Track 4 'Visioni'! Yes it is different song but if you have seen 'Once upon the time in the America' this melody and the instrumentation is ............ yikes. Whole album's up and down of upbeat and downbeat is so eerily identical to the other; it is hard for me to give high regard for this CD. I have always enjoyed Ennio Morricone's music from old days of spaghetti western including this one but this one sounded a little too much as if he went thru his secret box one too many time. Sounded beautiful but originality........ No. If you enjoyed this one, then certainly try 'Once upon the time in the America' to your further enjoyment. 'Once upon the time in the west' is not bad either.

Morricone's fifth Oscar-nominated score displays many of his trademarks within its beautiful themes, impressive orchestrations, occasional fits of chaos... This works against the charm of the soundtrack as the first inkling of having heard its ideas before becomes absolute certainty when the composer reprises earlier sections of the score. Some of it is worth repeating, of course, but to avoid annoyance and distraction a little more variation rarely runs amiss. A somewhat predictable yet charming filmusic addition.