Rorret

This rather unknown Italian film is an odd thing. On the one hand, it's a beautiful homage to the Film Noir genre, and the two thriller classics "Psycho" and "Peeping Tom" especially. The film almost oozes its love for these movies, there are the best known moments of those movies restaged almost frame by frame in film-in-film sequences. "Psycho"'s shower scene, for example, is shown in a film called "Blood in the Shower" (sic!). Jean Sorel is extremely convincing as the murderous theatre-owner Joseph Rorret, and the stylish direction also adds to the flair. But...

On the other hand, "Rorret" is rather a drama than a Film Noir or a thriller - although it undoubtedly includes typical Giallo elements. Problem is that Fulvio Wetzl's direction sometimes looks über-stylish. It's often too film-school-like, it seems that he wants to show his love for the movies too clearly using the style of them how one learns about it at film-schools - therefore "Rorret" is probably too artsy.

A big plus is the musical score: While most Italian scores of the late 1980s are pure synthesizer sound, this one boosts almost old-fashioned guitar music that fits perfectly. Which brings me to another point: "Rorret" makes the impression of being anachronistic. It's almost too subtle for its production year.

All in all, "Rorret" is a unique and interesting film - but with a more modern and direct approach, it would have been an instant cult classic. Therefore it's a wasted opportunity in a way. And that's a pity.