CONSTANCE is an interesting experiment in New Zealand film making as it tries to be a 40s/50s noir style romantic drama as if MGM or RKO made a Joan Crawford or Veronica Lake film in Auckland. In fact at one stage, Constance goes to see GILDA at the fabulous CIVIC Picture Palace (still standing) in downtown Auckland..(see the recent KING KONG for a real tour of this jaw- dropping auditorium..all Deco-Indian Hindi with twinkling stars and velvet seats). CONSTANCE is a sad film, a deluded woman living a lonely fantasy life in tropical wet suburbia. It is ambitious style over substance, made well enough on a very low budget. Possibly also influenced by DAY OF THE LOCUST and if you have that film as one of your most admire, you will be kind to this production which emulates its tone and look well. Karen Black's quiet desperate blonde ambition in LOCUST probably reflects nest what CONSTANCE attempts. I might feel differently now as I only saw this film once in 1986 on its short but effective and well received release. I'd give it another go.
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