Maruzella

Maruzzella is the diminutive of the name Marisa but also the name of a special seashell, which Salvatore at one instant finds on the shore in which he can listen to the sea and which brings back memories and the most interesting sequence of the film - a spectacular ballet performance of sirens and pirates. The film is a musical, music is the main theme, and the various love intrigues are actually just accompaniments to the musical drama of a band of musicians, among whom one is infatuated with Maruzzella and composes a song to her, which is the jewel of the film. The theme occurs from the beginning and reoccurs now and then to finally bloom out after one hour in the fully fledged final song, which makes all hearts melt. The composer is an accomplished pianist, he composes it out of love for her, but that love is tragic and hopeless. There is a great guitarist also in the band, and he performs an admirable solo at his entrance in the film as a timid and bashful involuntary guest. The love intrigues eventually lead to a passion drama with casualties, which become insignificant to the love story, while the pianist's sincere but unhappy love is interrupted, while somehow his love is the one which will remain by his wonderful song.

This movie gets 7 stars only because of Renato Carosone. He is an excellent performer, an excellent actor, and a better singer than I expected.

There were only two main characters in the movie that I cared about, Renato and Salvatore's aunt. They were definitely the most sympathetic characters in the film. The stepmother did well, but there was nothing special about her performance.

Renato's drummer, Gegé di Giaccomo is a great performer and very engaging. He should have had a bigger role.

The scene at the end where everything resolves at Renato's performance is the best scene in the film, and it's all because of Carosone. Two years ago I had never heard of him and today I think he's a great talent.

I would only recommend this movie if you were interested in watching Carosone perform, otherwise give it a miss.