So Sweet… So Perverse (1969) ***
Umberto Lenzi and Carroll Baker's second pair-up and second giallo of 1969, So Sweet… So Perverse, is slightly better than their first, Orgasmo (aka Paranoia) (my review here). Part of that is down to the Martino brothers being involved (Luciano wrote the story and produced while Sergio executive produced), part of it is down to giallo superscribe Ernesto Gastaldi writing the screenplay (although the ending is a tad convoluted even for Gastaldi), and part of it down to the plot essentially being an Italian update of Diabolique (1955) (my review here).
On that last note, I have to say—with that title and this being a giallo and all—that I actually find the film a little tame. Given the nature of the story, I was expecting it to be a touch more sleazy and salacious. I found Jean-Louis Trintignant pretty wooden as well (which sort of works for the part but detracts from the melodrama a bit). There's still a lot to appreciate though, including competent direction from Lenzi, good performances from stars Baker and Erika Blanc, some cool twists, and Riz Ortolani's groovy/jazzy/psychedelic, Mancini-like score (and the addictive Bond theme-esque song "Why" that accompanies it).
You can find my Giallo Feature Films Ranked list here.
On that last note, I have to say—with that title and this being a giallo and all—that I actually find the film a little tame. Given the nature of the story, I was expecting it to be a touch more sleazy and salacious. I found Jean-Louis Trintignant pretty wooden as well (which sort of works for the part but detracts from the melodrama a bit). There's still a lot to appreciate though, including competent direction from Lenzi, good performances from stars Baker and Erika Blanc, some cool twists, and Riz Ortolani's groovy/jazzy/psychedelic, Mancini-like score (and the addictive Bond theme-esque song "Why" that accompanies it).
You can find my Giallo Feature Films Ranked list here.
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