Savage Attraction (I) (1983)
4/10
Interesting story let down by lacklustre direction and performances
30 July 2021
While working at an amusement park in Australia, Christine starts a relationship with a German man, Walter. She marries him and has a child with him. When an job opportunity presents itself, Walter and Christine move to Germany. There his deepest, darkest secret is revealed: he's a fervent neo-Nazi. Appalled by this revelation, Christine's life, and that of her child, are now in danger.

Based on a true story but you wouldn't think so. Yes, the story is quite extreme but not implausible. No, it's more the way the story is told that makes it less than believable. There's a B-grade quality to proceedings that make it seem cheap and cheesy.

Direction is pretty unimaginative and performances are quite hammy. Ralph Schicha as Walter is the worst of it: absurd overacting. Kerry Mack's performance as Christine is actually semi-decent. Supporting cast are so-so.

With a bit more edginess, tension and engagement this could have been a fairly decent film. Instead it's quite flat, even dull despite the storyline.
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