This pretentious, claustrophobic sex drama which plays like a cross between LAST TANGO IN Paris (1972) and THE NIGHT PORTER (1974) by way of LOVE RITES (1988) was concocted by directors Francesco Barilli and Lucio Fulci, while helmer Patroni Griffi was also behind the acclaimed 'TIS PITY SHE'S A WHORE (1971) which I own, but have yet to watch.
To begin with, it does boast a good cast: Tony Musante is O.K. as the object of desire for several women; Laura Antonelli glamorous but no longer young (in fact, I don't think she has any nude scenes here); Florinda Bolkan is underused in a thankless role; best of all are the sultry Marsillach sisters (Cristina playing Antonelli's character at a younger age when she had a clandestine fling with Musante and Blanca as her daughter, who finds herself just as much attracted to him). The latter are involved in (or are witness to) several steamy situations and, although according the IMDb they were of age when the film was shot, they sure as hell don't look it and, as such, the result is quite disturbing in spots and certainly leaves one with a bad taste in the mouth.
Anyhow, the narrative deals with Antonelli's elaborate revenge on the selfish Musante whose sado-masochistic practices she endured as a child and which have subsequently traumatized her for life: she now lives across the hall from his current lover Bolkan and eventually, with her daughter's help, he ends up trapped inside their apartment for days. The trouble is that the jealous offspring wants her mom's lover for herself! The abrupt open-ended conclusion is fashionable but, essentially, rather blah and Ennio Morricone's score isn't one of the maestro's best, either.
To begin with, it does boast a good cast: Tony Musante is O.K. as the object of desire for several women; Laura Antonelli glamorous but no longer young (in fact, I don't think she has any nude scenes here); Florinda Bolkan is underused in a thankless role; best of all are the sultry Marsillach sisters (Cristina playing Antonelli's character at a younger age when she had a clandestine fling with Musante and Blanca as her daughter, who finds herself just as much attracted to him). The latter are involved in (or are witness to) several steamy situations and, although according the IMDb they were of age when the film was shot, they sure as hell don't look it and, as such, the result is quite disturbing in spots and certainly leaves one with a bad taste in the mouth.
Anyhow, the narrative deals with Antonelli's elaborate revenge on the selfish Musante whose sado-masochistic practices she endured as a child and which have subsequently traumatized her for life: she now lives across the hall from his current lover Bolkan and eventually, with her daughter's help, he ends up trapped inside their apartment for days. The trouble is that the jealous offspring wants her mom's lover for herself! The abrupt open-ended conclusion is fashionable but, essentially, rather blah and Ennio Morricone's score isn't one of the maestro's best, either.