Typical soft-core Brass film has a plot as flimsy as the clothing worn by the leading lady but then plots are inconsequential in films like these. Although her acting is limited to giggles and pouts, Ammirati is an attractive and alluring presence as a vixen in heat whose boyfriend won't do the deed until they're married, causing her to throw herself at every man she meets. The central plot device is to create situations for Ammirati to remove her skivvies (to use them as emergency bandage for her bleeding beau, because they itch, just because...). Grandi, the well-endowed star of one of Brass's earlier films, plays Ammirati's mother, who also has a tendency to drop her knickers.
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kenjha18 June 2007
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Bunuel197618 August 2006This was only my 3rd Brass after CALIGULA (1979) - which I watched in London - and DEADLY SWEET (1967; his best film by far, so far) - viewed during the Italian B-movie retrospective at the 2004 Venice Film Festival.
Well, frivolous is right as nothing much happens during the course of the film; at least, though, it's lighthearted - unlike, say, Bigas Luna's BAMBOLA (1996; see review above) - even if in a vulgar way and, given the explicit nature of its copious nudity, occasionally erotic. Still, the leading performance by non-professional (and perennially giggly) Anna Ammirati - whom Brass reportedly discovered, literally, by way of a car accident! - is annoyingly one-dimensional. Like BAMBOLA, the leading lady's mother is played by a well-known actress (i.e. known more for her physical attributes than her acting talent), Serena Grandi - who had earlier starred in Brass' MIRANDA (1985). A surprising cast member is Patrick Mower as Grandi's suave but lewd lover (who naturally has his eyes on her daughter too); I was only familiar with him from two good British horror flicks - THE DEVIL RIDES OUT (1968) and CRY OF THE BANSHEE (1970) - and I wonder how he came to be involved with smut such as this (and, moreover, in Italy)!
One of the most notable (but not necessarily noteworthy) elements in the film is the soft-focus cinematography; it's practically shot like that all the way through, which rather kills its intended effectiveness! Brass himself appears as a bandleader at the beginning and end of the movie, the latter during the interminable wedding scene (which rather reminded me of the similar conclusion to Federico Fellini's AMARCORD [1973], also a film with the emphasis on sex and vulgarity but undeniably superior!). -
woyzeckswoe30 June 2006The older Brass become, the easier its films. It seems, as if it has the dark sides of the life completely beside, which it so urgently produced still with CALIGULA and SALON KITTY. Since SNACKBAR BUDAPEST he praises himself besides, completely on a connection of sexuality and brutality was to do without. MONELLA used up itself and leaves completely the summer-resorts comedy anyhow us curious view sharing at the life-merry plots, which the girl leads around its prudent engaged one. As in MIRANDA Brass catches here the Italian land life affectionately and looks again and again for original and bizarre perspectives, in order to regard its heroine in flagrant. Its occasional mix between 70's Softporno and contemporary hard core's what rends the Brass style fantastic, and it is amazing that its films beside the tide of purely porn productions can maintain ground still. But Brass goes around the production from eroticism, not around flesh banality. In addition he thinks out the most amazing situations. If the master should throw the towel, will somewhat be missing: Nobody can produce so loosely and at the same time as sensual as he can... And MONELLA is reliably one of the most beautiful examples to appreciate this style.
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Sandis-219 October 2002Monella is wonderful erotic comedy about a couple getting married. The story takes place in northern Italy in the 1950´s. Lola and Masetto is about to get married. Masetto wants to keep Lola as a virgin until they are married. But Lola is impatient to remain in chastity until the wedding night. She wants to be sure that Masetto is a good lover, before she commits herself into marriage. She does everything to trick Masetto into breaking the moral tradition. Anna Ammirati is doing a wonderful interpretation of Lolas character. It´s easy to fall for her charm. The film is also aesthetical with the beautiful environment, the heat between the characters, and the camera light on Anna Ammiratis irresistible body.
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rmax30482324 July 2006The cover of the DVD has a photo of Lola (Anna Ammarati) on her bicycle, laughing over her shoulder at the camera, her skirt hiked up to her waist and revealing her panty-covered behind.
The movie opens with this scene. Lola bicycles around town with her filmy skirt up around her neck, turning all the men on, including two priests who sniff her bicycle seat after she dismounts. Oh, she's a gay creature and a whimsical one. She's about to be married to a young baker but doesn't want to remain a virgin until then so she tries to seduce him in every way, but the young man is a demon of chastity. So Lola starts looking elsewhere for her defloration, but everyone seems frightened away by her forwardness. It's hard to figure out why. She's easy enough on the eyes. But when she puts the moves on her own father, maybe she's going a little too far.
There's a credit given for clothing design and I suppose it's deserved, at least for everyone except frivolous Lola who spends half the movie running around buck nekkid. She's seen in a wedding dress at the end but she's not wearing underwear. In the rest of the movie she wears only one outfit -- a red top, easily slipped down, a diaphanous transparent skirt and a pair of white panties (sometimes). There is an abundance of what I think the trade calls up skirt shots.
I will tell you something. If this were a real Italian gal in a small village, she'd be put away subito.
There isn't much to the story except for Lola's whimsical yet desperate attempts at seduction. The whole thing is a fantasy. A monk admits she turns him on and he appears to masturbate an ear of corn after she kisses his ancient forehead, proving that he may be old but he's not dead. Later he gets a chance to spit out some happy obscenities.
The musical score is lively and demotic. The photography bleeds much of the color from the scenes and appears to have been shot through a goldfish bowl. The acting is okay as far as I could tell. I had no objection to Lola's lying in bed and plucking out pubic hairs -- "He loves me," "He loves me not", or whatever it was. I had no real objection to any of it. The problem is that it really isn't very sexy, although there is an abundance of Lola's nudity, and it isn't in the least amusing. I wouldn't sit through it again. -
billcr1227 August 2022I was drawn to this film by the movie poster. I expected a comedy but did not find much to laugh about. Anna Ammirati is Lola, a young woman who is seen at the opening riding a bicycle while bent over and flashing her panties at the mostly appreciative bystanders. She is engaged to be married within a few days and wishes to lose her virginity before the wedding. Her partner refuses to engage in premarital coitus, leading to a few scenes of attempts by Lola to seduce the man. Anna is frequently nude and has an undeniable allure, but the film is just not funny. The sex scenes are surprisingly graphic for a supposedly mainstream movie. The acting is not at a high level and the only saving grace is an excellent soundtrack.
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This was one of the worst films I've ever seen. It's stupid, idiotic, insipid, etc. I can't think of all of the words appropriate for this "erotic comedy at its best." The movie was ridiculous! The actors are wooden; the dialogue is ingratiating; and the dubbing is, well, dubbing. In other words this movie is a car accident caught on film.
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Cute but not too exciting. I haven't seen any other Tinto films, but based on this one I probably wouldn't go out of my way to see any others. It was mildly interesting to watch but in the end rather unsatisfying. Just nothing to sink your teeth into as a film. The plot was weak and at times confusing and Lola just came across as a spoiled little girl (probably intentional). But there was nothing to make me understand why her "boyfriend" was even interested in her, other than her good looks. The camera work was interesting and creative and there are lots of great shots of Lola in various states of undress which is probably the only reason I kept watching it - hey, I'm a guy, what can I say? But, to be honest, its mostly like watching a TV sitcom - light entertainment to pass the time.
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No cheating, not enough sex and not enough Serena Grandi!
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mikiec4 September 2022Film scenes cut. If they are going to charge, then tell customers the film has been cut. Let them then make up their minds weather or not they want to purchase the film. There are other films I would like to purchase, but do not want to waste my money and be disappointed. This is especially true when viewing classic films that are out of print and can not be purchased elsewhere. It is a shame that they butcher these films up to the point that a viewer can not follow the plot and the film no longer makes sense. This has happened more than once and seems that AMAZON is practicing their own brand of censorship. If Amazon thinks there is something that would offend the viewer could be warned up front or have the film rated in more than one classification.
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AceTheCasualMan4 July 2021Could have at least have her keep her vows til the wedding ended, even if it was really hard to do.. too many gaps making ir seem like she did the "Deed," but not with her beloved. And that Scene DURING the wedding??? Bruh, that's douchiest move to make...
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christopher-underwood11 January 2007The scoring, of course, reflects my own personal taste but I do feel that the film almost completely successful in what it sets out to achieve. It's a mischievous, amusing, jolly sexy romp that doesn't miss out on taking a few sideswipes at Italian society (affectionately of course!). If there were a poll to find the ten best female bum shots in cinema, I am pretty certain this film would occupy all ten slots, and half of them probably just in the swirling, joyful, abandoned opening cycling sequence. Lola grins and squeaks with delight as she races along bum in the air to the astonishment, amusement and enjoyment of all. The older man (father?) with Lola scenes, made one a little uncomfortable and similarly the peeping tom and the lost virginity but these seemed to fit within the whole and probably say as much about Catholicism in Italy than Mr Brass in particular. A super sunny sexy delight!
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johnc214115 March 2010i saw a trailer for monella on the cult epics DVD Bettie page dark angel and it made me watch the actual movie.the star;Anna Ammirati is so beautiful sexy and mischievous as Lola.you will love this Italian made comedy directed by the great tinto bass.its a very adult movie that does'nt hold back.its not a porno movie but a sexy comedy about a virginal bride to be who wants her fiancé to make love to her.i first saw a Korean cut of the movie which is censored and dubbed into English,then later the Italian uncensored version with Italian language that was great.i really have to say Anna Ammirati is so beautiful and sexy she should do more movies.she will give Angelina Jolie and Megan fox a run for their money.i only seen one Tinto Bass movie and really did'nt like it,it was the infamous Caligula,which was so different from monella.the beginning scenes of Lola(Anna)riding her bike are truly memorable.if you are a fan of Italian cinema like myself then you will enjoy monella.need i mention again beautiful sexy Anna Ammirati.amour monella.10 out of 10.a sexy movie,Anna also sings the song monella in the movie.shes multi talented.OK I'm done this movie rocks.
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Cristi_Ciopron14 January 2009One aspect of Brass' dirty fancies is that they're meant as colossal, lively, bizarre fun. But that's not just Brassof course; that's a whole slice of the Italian genre cinemathe Italian dirty flicks .
Brass is only (and this, symbolicallynot even chronologically) the torchbearer of this movement.
Monella (1998) is indeed quite a movie; and, erotically, it was Serena Grandi's swansong. Of course, there are also Anna Ammirati, Edith Rozanyai, Laura Trotter, Francesca Nunzi, Susanna Martinkovábut, with MONELLA, Mrs. Grandi, at 40 yrs., left the movies. For me at least, Serena is the true, gorgeous, awesome star of MONELLA. At 40, she had what to show; she was older than Mrs. Sandrelli in LA CHIAVEand what a body! MONELLA is the Brassian sexfeast par excellence. The master conceived his flick as a sexparade, back to the grimly serene, funny naturalism of MIRANDA (or, less well handled, PAPRIKA).
Mrs. Grandi wasn't as solicited by the directors as she should have been; regardless, she is , together with Sandrelli, Koll, Dellera, Caprioglio, Miti, one of the core actresses of the erotica. These girls' movies are indeed textbooks.