That Malicious Age(1975) May 2026
: Paola is portrayed as provocative and beautiful, blurring the lines between a victim of adult attention and a master manipulator of Napoleone’s emotions.
That Malicious Age remains a polarizing entry in 1970s European cinema.
: Gloria Guida's performance is often highlighted as a career-defining moment, embodying a "Greek goddess" persona that became a staple of Italian cult classics from that era. That Malicious Age(1975)
: As the summer progresses, Napoleone’s unchecked passion spirals into violence, specifically targeting a mentally disturbed fisherman who also courts Paola, marking a sharp turn from erotic comedy to intense drama. Critical Reception and Legacy
The story centers on (played by Nino Castelnuovo), a bored artist seeking a fresh start by taking a summer job as a gardener at a secluded seaside villa. His quest for solitude is immediately disrupted by Paola (Gloria Guida), the attractive teenage daughter of his employers. : Paola is portrayed as provocative and beautiful,
: Critics have noted the film's attempt to weave in "class morality" and "psychological introspection," though these elements are often overshadowed by the escalating erotic tension.
: Some critics, such as Paolo Mereghetti, found the film "unresolved," struggling to successfully combine its melodramatic tension with deeper psychological themes. : As the summer progresses, Napoleone’s unchecked passion
The core of the film is a "charged triangle" of seduction involving Napoleone, Paola, and her mother (Anita Sanders).