Review of The Scarlet Lady

Like anybody else who watches this film, it is for Monica Vitti and not because it has the awful US title; The Bitch Wants Blood or even the far more charming Italian; La Donna Scarlatta. She is lovely throughout, in various costumes and the late 60s décor and tempo help a lot. The rather amusing notes on my DVD include; '….will surprise those who know her only from the grim existential parables of Michelangelo Antonioni…' which is not only a bloody cheek but somewhat ironic. This is by no means a particularly sombre and thoughtful piece but does not really warrant the 'comedy' description and does actually have something of an existential theme and a very fine Anotonioni inspired sequence when she revs her car up and the street signage flashes by as we hurtle as if to oblivion. Seriously though this is for the most part a delightful, colourful and amusing Sunday afternoon movie with the serious added bonus of the lovely Vitti.