This review is for the UK VHS release called Masquerade. This Italian-made erotic thriller is typical of the genre that was being churned out en mass during this period. Unusually though, this one started out as a hardcore porn film but for UK audiences it fell foul of the dreaded BBFC and so only a soft version could legally be seen. The main cast members of Teri Weigel, Rocco Siffredi, Raven and Joey Silvera all made their names in hardcore porn.
An antiques dealer in the Italian city of Florence who was about to spill the beans about shady goings on in the art world is murdered by an unknown assailant. Undercover cop Linda Forrester (Raven) is sent to Florence where she teams up with her Italian counterpart Guido Moranto (Joey Silvera). Art collector Anesto has had several works of art stolen and as investigations continue, it is apparent that members of his staff and family have secrets that they would rather keep hidden. All the while, the killer is stalking new victims. There are twists to the plot that leaves room for a sequel that seems not to have been made.
Why this film was made as hardcore porn is a bit of a mystery. Most of the time is devoted to the plot so that there would have been little reason to include the hard stuff. What sex and nudity there is seems a bit coy at times. A net curtain is hung between the camera and Anna and Roberto; Sandra keeps her dressing gown on during one of her sex scenes; Raven probably gives the best performance, being absolutely stunning. The film makers seemed to be confused about what it was they actually wanted. The character of Linda did not ring true during one scene when she was accosted by a homeless drunk. Although she is supposed to be a cop, she played the helpless damsel in distress. Earlier when she and Guido met the same drunk, Guido wandered off leaving Linda to fend for herself. When the drunk walked away, Guido comes back and says that he will always protect her. Fat chance! The Italian dialogue was dubbed into English and quite well done although delivery sounded flat and slow. I was going to give this film 4 stars but the incredible Raven has bumped it up to 6.
