Che? (1972)

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Director:

Roman Polanski

Writers:

Gérard Brach (writer)
Roman Polanski (writer)

Release Date:

3 October 1973 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

The kinkiest caper of the year!

Plot:

A young American woman (Sydne Rome) traveling through Italy finds herself in a strange Mediterranean villa where nothing seems right...

Plot Keywords:

Mediterranean | Italy | Villa | Absurdism | Seaside

Cast

Marcello Mastroianni	...	Alex
Sydne Rome	...	Nancy
Hugh Griffith	...	Joseph Noblart
Guido Alberti	...	Priest
Gianfranco Piacentini	...	Tony
Carlo Delle Piane	...	Young Oaf #1 in Car
Mario Bussolino	...	Young Oaf #2 in Car
Henning Schlüter	...	Catone
Christiane Barry	...	Dresser
Pietro Tordi	...	Man-Servant
Nerina Montagnani	...	Chambermaid
Mogens von Gadow	...	German
Dieter Hallervorden	...	German
Elisabeth Witte	...	Nurse
John Karlsen	...	Edward

Also Known As:

Diary of Forbidden Dreams (USA) (recut version)
Quoi? (France)
Was? (West Germany)
What? (International: English title)

Runtime:

114 min | Argentina:115 min | USA:112 min

Country:

Italy | France | West Germany

Language:

English | Italian | French

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Spain:18 | UK:18 | Australia:M | West Germany:16 | USA:R (re-rating) (1976) | USA:X (original rating) | Argentina:16 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:18 | Sweden:15

Company:

Compagnia Cinematografica Champion

Trivia:

When producer Robert Evans was trying to coax Roman Polanski to direct Chinatown (1974), he found Polanski thoroughly absorbed with this film, to the extent that he had bought a 50% share in it. Evans eventually lured Polanski by saying that whatever "What" made in its opening week, he would pay him as his salary for directing "Chinatown". Polanski readily agreed to this, expecting "What" to do well as he considered it the best thing he had done up to that point. Unluckily for Polanski, "What" only grossed $64 on its first week.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Nancy's hands are well manicured throughout the movie, but quite ordinary during close-ups, when she's supposedly playing the piano.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Sydne in Wonderland (2008) (V)

The Name Says it All

While this is certainly not one of Polanski's finest, it is admittedly a damn funny effort. As a warning, don't expect any real substance to this film. It's ridiculous and trivial, but there are laughs throughout. "What?" fills the gap for those who get a kick out of 70's porn plots, but get bored during the sex scenes. This being said, know that it can easily offend. Expect a movie that will get giggles out of a rape scene. It is a no holds barred comedy that breaks ground that "Happiness" will sweep in to master.

Polanski combines his psychedelic absurdity of "The Magic Christian" with the stark strangeness that he would later delve into in "The Tenant." It is a valiant attempt to create a surreal sexual comedy. For most films, the lack of any depth to the characters will turn away even the most devoted viewer; but "What?" creates entertaining caricatures that bobble and bump into one another, with surprisingly charming results. It is difficult to say whether this is a good film or not, albeit it is shot beautifully, and leaves the viewer with many a chortle, but compared to the brilliance of his other films it seems a bit empty. The film can be best likened to a scarred and matted alley cat that loves to come and visit. It is rough on the edges and not nice to the touch, but the affection it gives leaves the soft spots all the more appealing.