Night Life in Reno

Like everyone else I suppose, I got this little gem as part of a Mill Creek collection. I really, really enjoyed it...unlike the other reviewers. In some ways this film is weirdly familiar to the Stanley Kubrick flick Eyes Wide Shut. Most of the movie concerns itself with a happily married couple who do some serious pushing the envelope in regards to sexual boundaries and their marriage. This theme is watered down a bit with the device that the couple is possibly going through a divorce...something that neither actually wants one little bit. At one point the couple find themselves on a double date and each is partnered with a new person(neither seems to mind to much either). There is a lot of sexual stuff going on here. It all eventually leads to violence and at that point the plot really gets cooking. Unfortunately the film's resolution comes a bit to quick and that really puts a damper on what was an excellent buildup to some real tension. I still liked it a lot, just wish there had been a couple more scenes worked in there near the end...to string we, the audience along a bit cause the ride was really getting good. I would have liked a bit more angst thrown in there after the couple found themselves caught in an amazing paradox.

I can see why this movie isn't quite everyone's cup of tea. It is VERY sophisticated and subtle. My hats off to the writer and director. The cast was also very effective...especially the leading lady who was beautiful and a talented actress. I found her very believable.

Considering that this film was made eighty years ago, the transfer was really outstanding and the sound was very good too. Art Class films, the company who produced this one, made some pretty good films based on what I've been able to find so far. I enjoyed it very much, could have used another five or six minutes but they got a lot right with this one. Check it out for something pretty darn unique.