A small masterpiece of the 60's pop art and science-fiction. The plot taken from a book by Robert Sheckley introduces a lethal reality show, simply kill or be killed. Caroline (Andress) and Marcello (Mastroianni) are both on the top of the game and the last survivors to face each other. But games can be played in many ways, even the killing ones. Before the last battle everything is possible, including romancing your worst enemy.
The cool game of cat and mouse takes us to a near future, where everything is set to satisfy the eye more than mind. Easy and fast. Sounds familiar? Pet toys, shopping and pop art designs to make one feel good. Relaxing service stations, stimulating injections and a semi-religious cult reaching for emotional experiences for those who need something more and can afford it. A very near future indeed. The playful movie is observing culture rather pessimistically under its light surface and kinky humor. The jokes are quite cynical on the other side and mostly hit the target. In this world and time comics are the classic literature and art. Marcello models himself through Stan Lee's classic comic hero Phantom and wears big dark glasses, which also cover some of his frustration and boredom. Caroline in her masks and disguises is tempting and dangerous like some fantasy heroin. Her inventive use of the shooting brassiere was successfully lifted to the first Austin Powers movie.
The film is visually great in a surprisingly minimal way. No overblown futuristic sets but real locations in wide angles and some very sixties fashion and set of objects. Equally great is the plot with funny twists and jokes. Andress and Mastroianni shine without having to try too much.
The cool game of cat and mouse takes us to a near future, where everything is set to satisfy the eye more than mind. Easy and fast. Sounds familiar? Pet toys, shopping and pop art designs to make one feel good. Relaxing service stations, stimulating injections and a semi-religious cult reaching for emotional experiences for those who need something more and can afford it. A very near future indeed. The playful movie is observing culture rather pessimistically under its light surface and kinky humor. The jokes are quite cynical on the other side and mostly hit the target. In this world and time comics are the classic literature and art. Marcello models himself through Stan Lee's classic comic hero Phantom and wears big dark glasses, which also cover some of his frustration and boredom. Caroline in her masks and disguises is tempting and dangerous like some fantasy heroin. Her inventive use of the shooting brassiere was successfully lifted to the first Austin Powers movie.
The film is visually great in a surprisingly minimal way. No overblown futuristic sets but real locations in wide angles and some very sixties fashion and set of objects. Equally great is the plot with funny twists and jokes. Andress and Mastroianni shine without having to try too much.