Malizia" is a unique crossover of comedy, coming-of-age drama and exploitation, and it's not hard to see why it was the most successful Italian film in 1973. It made Laura Antonelli a superstar and every Italian teenager's wet dream. I can really say I've seen my share of Italian movies of that time and more than enough teen/sex dramedies with Fenech, Guida, you name it, but "Malizia" outclasses those on every level.
Spoilers: While I will speak about some stuff that happens throughout the movie, I certainly will not spoil the ending or outcome.
"Malizia" is not out for cheap laughs or in-your-face slapstick. It has a subtle, humorous atmosphere, there are a couple of gags thrown in, sometimes risky, but never too vulgar or even offensive. As soon as Angela, the new housekeeper, starts working, the film quickly gains momentum and the script manages to explain the situation with some lively sequences of the new life of the widower and the three sons. Without any dialogue, those are easily carried by the fantastic score. It cleverly combines the brisky pace and the slowly building romantic aspects. If you do have a soft spot for this distinctive Italian music style, you'll be in for a 90 minutes treat. Waltz, tango, 70ies Synth - it's all in and it is always spot-on.
While at first we see the father and the oldest son courting Angela openly, the story then focuses on 14-year-old Nino, who has a pubescent crush on Angela. But he soon realizes he can't have her like he wants to, and it disgusts him even more to see her becoming engaged to his father. So he tries all he can do to prevent the marriage. And he succeeds by inventing nightmares of his dead mother, which is a big deal for the father and the local priest - mind this movie is set in the deeply catholic Sicily of the 1950ies. Modern audiences might have to think twice here, but it is definitely convincing.
Halfway through the film, the subtle, funny tone disappears and the whole thing turns darker by the minute. This is not really what one would expect in a typical sex comedy. Nino discovers that he can't prevent the marriage forever, but he can make Angela suffer for it. The lower-class girl, trying to put a brave smile on everything, has to follow her master's orders, and those orders humiliate her, take away her pride and dignity. There's not much she can do but to play along. These are the moments when Laura Antonelli's performance shines, as you can really feel for the girl, being in the hands of a sadistic boy full of sexual hatred.
All this tension culminates in a uniquely done climax that you wouldn't expect considering where it all started off some 80 minutes before. The cinematography in these sequences is excellent. This goes for the whole film by the way. It is marvelous to look at and really brings to life the past.
Laura does have a couple of nude scenes, but only short ones and in the dark, so don't expect too much. It's certainly no "Venus in furs". Nevertheless, "Malizia" does have some of the actresses' most memorable shots ever, showing her at the height of her radiant beauty. One striptease scene in particular - sizzling and unforgettable.
"Malizia" starts out harmless, lures you in and then all changes and it won't let you go. A fantastic work and a well-deserved, true classic. The box office success was certainly due to some "obvious" elements (just look at the movie poster), but "Malizia" offers much, much more. Highly recommended.
Spoilers: While I will speak about some stuff that happens throughout the movie, I certainly will not spoil the ending or outcome.
"Malizia" is not out for cheap laughs or in-your-face slapstick. It has a subtle, humorous atmosphere, there are a couple of gags thrown in, sometimes risky, but never too vulgar or even offensive. As soon as Angela, the new housekeeper, starts working, the film quickly gains momentum and the script manages to explain the situation with some lively sequences of the new life of the widower and the three sons. Without any dialogue, those are easily carried by the fantastic score. It cleverly combines the brisky pace and the slowly building romantic aspects. If you do have a soft spot for this distinctive Italian music style, you'll be in for a 90 minutes treat. Waltz, tango, 70ies Synth - it's all in and it is always spot-on.
While at first we see the father and the oldest son courting Angela openly, the story then focuses on 14-year-old Nino, who has a pubescent crush on Angela. But he soon realizes he can't have her like he wants to, and it disgusts him even more to see her becoming engaged to his father. So he tries all he can do to prevent the marriage. And he succeeds by inventing nightmares of his dead mother, which is a big deal for the father and the local priest - mind this movie is set in the deeply catholic Sicily of the 1950ies. Modern audiences might have to think twice here, but it is definitely convincing.
Halfway through the film, the subtle, funny tone disappears and the whole thing turns darker by the minute. This is not really what one would expect in a typical sex comedy. Nino discovers that he can't prevent the marriage forever, but he can make Angela suffer for it. The lower-class girl, trying to put a brave smile on everything, has to follow her master's orders, and those orders humiliate her, take away her pride and dignity. There's not much she can do but to play along. These are the moments when Laura Antonelli's performance shines, as you can really feel for the girl, being in the hands of a sadistic boy full of sexual hatred.
All this tension culminates in a uniquely done climax that you wouldn't expect considering where it all started off some 80 minutes before. The cinematography in these sequences is excellent. This goes for the whole film by the way. It is marvelous to look at and really brings to life the past.
Laura does have a couple of nude scenes, but only short ones and in the dark, so don't expect too much. It's certainly no "Venus in furs". Nevertheless, "Malizia" does have some of the actresses' most memorable shots ever, showing her at the height of her radiant beauty. One striptease scene in particular - sizzling and unforgettable.
"Malizia" starts out harmless, lures you in and then all changes and it won't let you go. A fantastic work and a well-deserved, true classic. The box office success was certainly due to some "obvious" elements (just look at the movie poster), but "Malizia" offers much, much more. Highly recommended.