Reviews

*Mild Spoiler* The pain Malena encounters throughout the film in the vicious chain of events that unfold in it's narrative is only ever expressed in her face...

If you're looking - and most are - but, unlike them, I mean really looking.

We see every bitter, scathing and violent situation she weathers unravel through the eyes of her silent, self-appointed teenage protector - he says as little as she does in those times, and as the devastation spirals further out of control I almost came to hate him for it.

Yet when it really matters, their moment comes - and he says the one thing that she probably most wanted to hear.

I did read some visual metaphors into some of the narratives strongest events - when Malena finally takes to the streets of Sicily, emblazoned with her 'wanton' flash of red hair, outwardly rejecting the modesty that has saved her from nothing simply so she can survive, the men of the town rush to light her cigarette: 'There's no smoke without fire.' And now, it seems, Malena has be forced to squeeze herself into the 'wise' age old saying. A self-fulfilling prophecy. Not even the tears in her eyes can otherwise douse the heat on her now....

When the time finally comes for Malena to be 'punished' in a sickening, heartbreaking climax (interestingly, the first of what I'd say is about 3 towards the end of the film), I at first thought it a culture, period specific issue that couldn't occur today. Thinking it over again, not the case - it being the day of 'liberation' was just the perfect excuse for Dentist's wife to grab an opportunity for the women of the town's envy, rage and general powerlessness to be vented furiously without any barricade.

The way Malena turns to scream at the silent, unmoving wall of men - instead of the women - after the event is nothing if not poignant.

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful story. Objectification held up to light in the best way (coming from a male reviewer).

Personally the film would have been stronger - near perfect - for me without the reoccurring Malena and young child male protagonist (shudder) kissing and bucking imaginary scenes - but they get lost in the later thread of this small-town epic tale.

Go watch.

'I am a reflection of you' Angela tells Andre, with an assured, smile over their table at a Parisian café.

'What, a beautiful, 6 foot tall slut?' He asks, amused.

'Yes.' For those who truly read into those lines, I believe them to be the summation of Andre's dual character profiles (the aesthetic average

and the beautiful inside 'put simply', as Angela might say) and the marrying of all the elements together in this Luc Besson beauty...

Angela is the physical manifestation of Andre's 'inside'. In physicality - on which we all naturally draw instant conclusions on the people we encounter...she is the obvious everything that Andre can't see in himself, as it would mean looking past the 'first layer' - the surface.

His good nature evokes the saying of those who stand '6 feet tall' purely on the grounds of his goodness - a man to be looked up to. Her 'sluttiness' - that dress and attitude - is a reference to Andre's habit of whoring himself out indiscriminately to anyone, regardless of their true intentions, who'll show him the slightest bit of attention or superficial kindness (the gambling scene and it's lead-up in the bar, embodies this). Her beauty, the embodiment of the western mainstream ideals of femininity and attractiveness - tall, long-legged, blonde, generally model looking - refer to the all-pervasive 'good' that Andre really is inside.

Luc, instead of being conventionally preachy by consistently arguing the self is more important than the superficial - actually engages both, a physical manifestation - one in which we all recognise - to exemplify another in a way that couldn't possibly be lost on his audience.

Very well done.

That line truly made the film for me - otherwise, an elegant, jovial, delicate and smooth-running watch.

The opening with the hacking transaction being made is very classy and adds an air to the movie which sets a lingering tone throughout. However you have to wonder where its all going when after meeting this Neha, Jai begins to feel such strong emotions that it becomes sickening and as evident dangerous. I was caught by surprise when after all the happiness and declarations of absolute love Jai decided to self-harm for a naturally un-interested Neha!

Wouldn't any normal woman naturally repel and remove herself from the situation? A man you have only known for a matter of days is already cutting himself to pieces in your name just to show you that he can! NO THANKYOU! You may thing I am just dismissing it but I think it was probably the most cruel act in this gritty plot as Jai put his utmost trust in this woman, little he knew...

Nazar Nazar: Song number 1 in the visuals is a soft breezy track with mellow vocals that leaves you feeling its just another safe and pretty Hindi Cinema story especially after the first four lines...

Aaja Ve Mahi: A very well put together number which is able to have you up on your feet at the first counts of the bass. Well choreographed, charming visuals and good chemistry. Slightly sickly.

Dil Mere Na: What can i say. Enough sweet to kill a baby. However the outfits in this light-hearted number are easy on the eye. Cultured and colourful. The locations are a wonder as the input into the story is no-existent but the visuals are delightful.

Maine Jisko Chaha: Raunchy, wild and (as you'll see in the opening of the song) wet! However do not get impressions that this is a song full of sleaze! It contributes majorly the film and just about explains everything after the cash transactions. We see a new sexy side to this heartless Kareena and Fardeen Khan is quite the designer dandy! Everything is thrown in for good measure Champagne to Showgirls! Sleek and sinful!

by Khamisi Brown