1. Plot Summary

Fifteen-year-old Melissa, a shy Sicilian girl living with her emotionally distant mother and caring grandmother, explores her first sexual experiences following a traumatic encounter with classmate Daniele at a party. Her crush soon becomes exploitative, triggering a spiral of increasingly reckless encounters as she writes them in her secret diary. Through humiliation and reflection, Melissa grapples with identity, desire, and self-worth in the face of betrayal

2. Notable Elements

• Bold coming-of-age portrayal: The film bravely confronts teenage sexuality with raw, often uncomfortable intimacy—neither glamorized nor judgmental, but realistic.

• María Valverde’s performance: As Melissa, Valverde brings vulnerability, curiosity, and simmering resolve—her presence anchors the film.

• Support cast: Fabrizia Sacchi and Geraldine Chaplin offer warmth and grounding as mother and grandmother, respectively, enriching Melissa’s emotional landscape.

• Aesthetic nuance: Luca Guadagnino infuses the film with delicate visual storytelling—sunlit Sicilian settings and hushed interiors mirror Melissa’s internal conflict.

• Score & adaptation: Lucio Godoy’s sensitive soundtrack underpins the tension, while the screenplay (co-written by Guadagnino, Cristiana Farina, and Barbara Alberti) adapts Melissa Panarello’s provocative autobiographical novel

3. Themes and Messages

• Exploration vs. exploitation: Melissa’s journey reflects the tension between curiosity and coercion—a nuanced portrayal of consent and agency.

• Search for identity: Through diary entries and encounters, the film illustrates a teenager’s attempt to define herself in a world shaped by others.

• Family as refuge: In contrast to her mother’s emotional distance, Melissa’s grandmother provides empathy—a reminder of the importance of intergenerational support.

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4. Personal Impressions

Strengths:

• A courageous and unflinching look at adolescent sexuality, handled with sensitivity.

• Valverde gives a deeply affecting portrayal of conflict and self-realization.

• Guadagnino’s restrained visual style emphasizes emotional honesty.

Weaknesses:

• The narrative can feel episodic—some character motivations and arcs receive little depth.

• The explicit content may feel sensational rather than insightful to some viewers—reaction has been mixed .

5. Audience Recommendations

✔ For fans of intimate, character-driven dramas that explore sexual awakening from a female perspective.
✔ For viewers of Guadagnino’s other work—finding early traces of his stylistic eye (e.g. Call Me by Your Name).
🚫 Not for those expecting romanticized or light-hearted teen romps—this is emotionally heavy and explicit.

6. Conclusion & Rating

Melissa P. is a daring, at times uncomfortable, coming‑of‑age drama that examines teenage awakening with authenticity and emotional texture. While uneven in narrative pacing, its impact is carried by Valverde’s sincere performance and Guadagnino’s evolving directorial vision.

Final Recommendation: A provocative character study, best appreciated by viewers open to raw reflections on youth, identity, and desire.
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5 stars)