12-year-old Renato experiences three significant events on the same day: the beginning of the Second World War, getting a bike, and witnessing the arrival of the gorgeous Malèna. Through his eyes, we see the curse of beauty and loneliness of Malena, whose husband is presumed dead, and, through his soul, we see his love for her.

In a small town by the sea in 1960's Sicily, Rebecca spends every day locked up at home listening to the radio, hoping to hear the voice of her missing lover, Pietro.