Ennio Morricone's 10 Greatest Film Soundtracks
9. Malèna
Malena is a tale of obsession that unfolds in the 1940s. The young Renato Amoroso (Guiseppe Sulfaro) finds himself lusting after the titular character, the most desired woman in his small town.
It's a more contained story for sure, but as the Second World War envelopes the nation, the film starts to take a darker turn. This shift is conveyed through both the narrative and the score from the respected composer, which heightens the drama and mirrors the character's own yearning. The music appeared to resonate far more with a wider audience overall.
Malena offers a more traditional soundtrack that reflects the time period and the romantic comedy genre. It rises in intensity as Renato grows more enamoured with the titular character.
The film itself may not have been received as positively, but this is a case where Morricone's soundtrack stands out far more than the movie itself, receiving nominations from both the Academy and Golden Globes for best original score. If nothing else, it speaks to the composer's talents for making music that can transcend its larger projects.