Very hip, cool 1969 Italian movie that exudes the interior fashion and art of the moment. Starring the equally hip and cool, Catherine Spaak and Jean Sorel, plus a debut appearance from Florinda Bolkan, this was always going to be watchable and being based on the writing of Alberto Moravia, even more so. On the surface all is sweet and light but gradually we realize that something darker is going on. Although some consider the eventful outcome cut and dried, I still feel there is ambiguity here, all is not what it seems. The two main stars are great together and if Sorel's continuous hand miming is less that effective, it does lend charm to his character. Spaak with remarkable lack of costume changing looks fantastic throughout and even holds up well when the astonishing Bolkan joins the party. Moments of darkness, then amidst the mid-day sun and more than a hint that the 60s hedonistic heyday may be coming to an end.
