Nothing Underneath

Another World Entertainment 2008

R2 DVD

Web: http://www.anotherworldent.com

Carlo Vanzina’s Nothing Underneath is a long forgotten Giallo. It has a truly beautiful “look” and has many interesting story twists and has that superb “European” mood which makes these films so entertaining. It has not been generally available on DVD and it is great to see this edition from Another World Entertainment which features an impressive transfer and excellent sound.

The story has an unusual central focus; there is Tom who is a forest ranger in Yellowstone Park in Wyoming and Jessica who now works in Milan as a fashion model. The film opens with some stunning cinematography showing the natural beauty of the park with its cascading falls and rugged mountains. While Tom is checking on some tourists, he experiences a series of strange sensations and realizes Jessica is in danger. It seems that Tom and Jessica as twins have a psychic connection which makes them become aware when the other is in peril.

Tom first experiences disorientation and a loss of feeling in his arm and this is intercut with scenes of Jessica being manhandled at a disco. However, things soon get worse, Tom vividly sees Jessica attacked and murdered by a killer with a large pair of scissors. While he can see the event through “Jessica’s Eyes” he cannot see the killer. He calls the hotel, but she is not in her room and after he flies to Milan, he realizes she is missing.

He reports his vision to the police Commissioner Danesi (played superbly by Donald Pleasence), and while Danesi is unsure whether to take him seriously is concerned by the fact that a young model is missing. As another model turns up dead and then another, it becomes clear that they are missing something from their investigation.

This is where the story gets rather smart, the major figure of suspicion turns out to be rather nasty and revolting, but not necessarily the killer. Slowly a tale unfolds of drugs, sex and dangerous games and a lover seeking revenge.

This is a beautiful looking film, from the mountains and valleys of Wyoming to the urban landscape of Rome. This also emphasizes the contrast between Tom and Jessica, Tom is the country boy who works outdoors and likes nature and animals, while Jessica (who it is inferred is a Lesbian) could not wait to escape the narrow confines of Wyoming and her family.

Of course Naked Underneath is also packed with naked and semi naked beautiful models, indeed there is not many scenes when someone is not in a state of undress ! The acting is credible; the plotline intriguing and believable, one could just imagine this story unfolding in the real world of high fashion. I especially liked Pleasence, he came across so well as an old, exhausted police commissioner, just about to retire having seen it all but wanting to do the best for the young man and his missing sister. The climax of the movie was suitably shocking and certainly a little sad, obsessive love gone so terribly wrong.

This review will appear in Volume 2:1 (2009) of the digital and print edition of Synergy Magazine.

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