THE KEY is another erotic drama from one of the kings of the genre, Tinto Brass. It's a film which is all about sex, sex, and more sex, with little plot otherwise, although the characterisation is better fleshed out than I imagined. The film has a classy, well-shot look which lifts it above sleazier movies by the likes of Jess Franco, but there's not much content and it does feel repetitive. It also feels a lot like one of the Japanese erotic movies that have been popular for the last fifty years. Frank Finlay is a surprise presence in this film; this British character actor is the last person you'd expect to see baring all for such a production, but there he is. Stefania Sandrelli gives the stand-out turn in a very explicit performance that must have been a real test of nerve for the actress.
Review of The Key
