I've seen a number (but by no means all) of the original "video nasties" but this is the first where I've been tempted to stop watching as it was - indeed - pretty nasty!
However, once it gets beyond the original violations then the plot really gets going and, as the original title says, the central character regains her agency and delivers the most comprehensive and appropriate (in the circumstances) payoff. Kudos to Camille Keaton for fully committing to the part - including significant time spent nude.
I'm not a big fan of the "psycho hillbilly" genre but this has an admirable attempt at nuance with the "damaged by Vietnam" allusions and the fact that it was apparently influenced by a real-life incident experienced by the director. (I did also for a while wonder whether it was all in her head - as a visual playout of the book that she was writing, perhaps like Betty Blue - but I suspect that that's not a correct reading...)
So - I can see why many hated it, and why some regard it as a "feminist masterpiece" - and certainly why it's interesting enough to be thought-provoking even 45 years later.
Worth a look - but not for the squeamish.
However, once it gets beyond the original violations then the plot really gets going and, as the original title says, the central character regains her agency and delivers the most comprehensive and appropriate (in the circumstances) payoff. Kudos to Camille Keaton for fully committing to the part - including significant time spent nude.
I'm not a big fan of the "psycho hillbilly" genre but this has an admirable attempt at nuance with the "damaged by Vietnam" allusions and the fact that it was apparently influenced by a real-life incident experienced by the director. (I did also for a while wonder whether it was all in her head - as a visual playout of the book that she was writing, perhaps like Betty Blue - but I suspect that that's not a correct reading...)
So - I can see why many hated it, and why some regard it as a "feminist masterpiece" - and certainly why it's interesting enough to be thought-provoking even 45 years later.
Worth a look - but not for the squeamish.
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