Director: José Ramón Larraz
Year: 1970
Country: Denmark/United Kingdom
Alternate Titles: Perversion Flash; Flash Light; She Died With Her Boots On
Genre: Psychological Thriller; Exploitation
Plot:
Working for his dominating aunt, a young photographer finds that the latest model she brings to their manor in the English countryside is the perfect model for his next assignment and takes turns with her trying to unsettle the girl into falling for their latest round of sexual games.
Review:
For the most part, this was quite an enjoyable enough thriller. Most of the brighter aspects featured here come from it's rather strong ties to the giallo market from that time-period. Mixing together several traits from this environment, namely the high-class setting within the modeling agency that the aunt operates and the way the events unfold at the house that becomes rife with burning sexual tension between the three of them, there's a wholly enjoyable tone whipping through the film detailing the confusing sexual nature of him and his aunt. This funky relationship is established early on with the far more overtly sexualized card game they both play with her or the knowing glances they share which manages to get a crucial part of the mystery here with the budding realization that they're playing a game with each other.
On top of this, the bizarre relationship they have is enhanced by the fine sleaze elements present. The approach to the game that's being played here with the new girl in the relationship convinced something's going on with the previous girl they used to know and giving her the feeling that she's next in line, which is what really brings out the more continental flavor here. There's a proclivity to mind-games that comes about here, from different rape attempts they try on her out in the woods to the coerced lesbian fondling they focus on which adds a decidedly erotic touch while still being more focused on the antics designed to drive the central mystery. That mystery, told in a fun flashback to the death of the model and subsequent burial in the lake. With this one bringing a decidedly British approach to the thriller in fine form throughout here as well as adding together touches from the more overtly sexual and erotic nature of everything, there's a lot to like with this effort.
However, there are a few minor issues to be had here. The main guise of the film, which is the revelation that she's being kept around the murderers all along, manages to be given away so early on in the film that there's no real sense of suspense to be had here for the vast majority of the time. Everything is laid out to us from the very beginning that there's no real point in going through the entire time trying to provide this one with the kind of suspenseful story wondering if we're staying in the realm of mystery the entire time. This ends up making the film feel quite dull in place when not focusing on the erotic nature of everything as this becomes quite bland and drags itself out in points due to that. As well, the few moments of violent outbursts here look quite comical and underwhelming, obviously done on a budget yet still being quite underwhelming in terms of appearance. However, it's not as bad as the other problems here.
Overview: ***/5
A rather enjoyable effort which includes plenty to like and maintains enough interesting elements that manage to hold up the film over a small series of apparent yet not wholly detrimental issues. Give this one a look if you're a fan of these kinds of quasi-giallo or European psychological thrillers or just generally curious while those looking for a more over-the-top genre entry should heed caution here.
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