A change of pace with this slow moving French drama, which despite the exploitative re-titling (seemingly to tie in with the rash of popular Italian gialli made in the same period) is more of a human, character-focused drama than a death-filled thriller. Indeed, this is a tame film in which there is only one off screen murder, so fans of action-filled, violent exploitation should look elsewhere. However, if you're looking for general bizarrity, occasional style, and some interesting acting, plus a plot which keeps you guessing until the end, then this film may be for you.
The opening of the movie is a good one, with some stylish music and a grand, Wuthering Heights-style mansion as the setting. Good use is made of a P.O.V. camera, although the reason for it is unexplained. After this we are introduced to the characters. There's the handsome doctor, the male lead, whose character gradually becomes more and more disturbed as time goes on, and by the end of the film he's speeding down the streets in his sports car and assaulting his wife: not the expected way you would expect him to develop. Then there's the irritating older drug-taking woman who really deserves to die. The glamorous blonde wife is easy on the eye, while the creepy son (who has some HILARIOUS scenes and a distinct acting style which will have you reaching for the rewind, definitely the best character in the film!) and the Robert Mitchum-lookalike gardener-cum-handyman lend some sinister support.
Scenes of drug-taking are portrayed with fun, flashing psychedelic colours and disorientating music, very '60s. As the police investigate the plot thickens, the doctor loses his mind and believes himself to be the murderer while somebody shoots at him with a shotgun in the woods. The identity of the killer is skilfully kept hidden until the very end, I for one didn't guess it so the murder-mystery aspect is well done. Recommend viewing for fans of odd, unclassifiable cinema, this forgotten French drama is well-made on a low budget and surprisingly watchable and enjoyable, even though nothing much really happens in it.
The opening of the movie is a good one, with some stylish music and a grand, Wuthering Heights-style mansion as the setting. Good use is made of a P.O.V. camera, although the reason for it is unexplained. After this we are introduced to the characters. There's the handsome doctor, the male lead, whose character gradually becomes more and more disturbed as time goes on, and by the end of the film he's speeding down the streets in his sports car and assaulting his wife: not the expected way you would expect him to develop. Then there's the irritating older drug-taking woman who really deserves to die. The glamorous blonde wife is easy on the eye, while the creepy son (who has some HILARIOUS scenes and a distinct acting style which will have you reaching for the rewind, definitely the best character in the film!) and the Robert Mitchum-lookalike gardener-cum-handyman lend some sinister support.
Scenes of drug-taking are portrayed with fun, flashing psychedelic colours and disorientating music, very '60s. As the police investigate the plot thickens, the doctor loses his mind and believes himself to be the murderer while somebody shoots at him with a shotgun in the woods. The identity of the killer is skilfully kept hidden until the very end, I for one didn't guess it so the murder-mystery aspect is well done. Recommend viewing for fans of odd, unclassifiable cinema, this forgotten French drama is well-made on a low budget and surprisingly watchable and enjoyable, even though nothing much really happens in it.
