Pia Zadora, a Butterfly on a wheel
Outright: Yes, long-legged child woman, elfin- faced Pia Zadora is worthy as Golden Globes' Best Newcomer 1982. Take careful note that the award says "newcomer" and doesn't focus on acting ability. Certainly Pia was THE most dramatic newcomer arriving in the flurry of excitement accompanying this movie's release. And listen to the interviews on the DVD... the accusations of "buying the award" are, IMO, false. Makes a great story which the press jumped upon, but it seems to be only public opinion. It hurt little Pia very much, and it was all fueled by envy, because the public were jealous of the pretty girl and the rich old guy who had his young wife cast in the movie he financed. These two people deemed not to defend themselves at the time, figuring "it would blow over" but then, as stated in the interview*, it didn't.
*Personally, I find DVD extras like commentaries and interviews generally to be one big bore, but I recommend BUTTERFLY's extras for getting to another exciting aspect, the back- story (especially regarding the Golden Globe fiasco)
I'm just saying, the movie deserves a chance. Even with its contentious subject matter. Which, when viewed without frothing at the mouth, comes down to: acts of passion between consenting adults. Why get the law involved in what goes on between two lovers? The law should hunt down violent criminals and stay out of private business.
Okay, about the movie itself now:
I had only seen a trailer I had downloaded, some of it was in slow motion or something like that, focusing on the initial Orson Welles court scene, and it looked heavy-handed and dumb. Fortunately great shots of Pia's angelic face did appear and I decided to go for it, but I had little hope for a decent movie, given this one's bad reputation and the downloaded evidence at hand.
I was surprised. I had hoped, and thought, maybe... but didn't go in expecting too much.
There is a heck of a lot more going for this movie than what you would suspect. Is it worth watching for Pia Zadora alone? Yes. She is a performer. Oddly enough, she is way older than I had thought, and some camera angles are even unflattering to her face, but as for the nude scenes, let's just say that there should be no complaints.
The movie works better before all the "ensemble cast" enters the scene. The first half is erotic and frothy fun, think of it as bubbly champagne, the second half is just a large swig of vinegar. Must admit that I commented to myself "haven't had this much suspense in ages" - I really felt for the Jess character.
Okay, the prudes and the embittered haters would love to tear the movie apart, and that is exactly what they did. Don't let them spoil it for you, watch it for yourself, and then decide.
Powerful performance by Stacy Keach which gains sympathy every second of the way. What the average viewer here is most likely not gonna get, is that Kade goes for Jess because he is gentle with her, touching her the way she wants to be touched. Not rough-and-tumble. Not knock the stuffings out of her. I think that counts for something.
*Personally, I find DVD extras like commentaries and interviews generally to be one big bore, but I recommend BUTTERFLY's extras for getting to another exciting aspect, the back- story (especially regarding the Golden Globe fiasco)
I'm just saying, the movie deserves a chance. Even with its contentious subject matter. Which, when viewed without frothing at the mouth, comes down to: acts of passion between consenting adults. Why get the law involved in what goes on between two lovers? The law should hunt down violent criminals and stay out of private business.
Okay, about the movie itself now:
I had only seen a trailer I had downloaded, some of it was in slow motion or something like that, focusing on the initial Orson Welles court scene, and it looked heavy-handed and dumb. Fortunately great shots of Pia's angelic face did appear and I decided to go for it, but I had little hope for a decent movie, given this one's bad reputation and the downloaded evidence at hand.
I was surprised. I had hoped, and thought, maybe... but didn't go in expecting too much.
There is a heck of a lot more going for this movie than what you would suspect. Is it worth watching for Pia Zadora alone? Yes. She is a performer. Oddly enough, she is way older than I had thought, and some camera angles are even unflattering to her face, but as for the nude scenes, let's just say that there should be no complaints.
The movie works better before all the "ensemble cast" enters the scene. The first half is erotic and frothy fun, think of it as bubbly champagne, the second half is just a large swig of vinegar. Must admit that I commented to myself "haven't had this much suspense in ages" - I really felt for the Jess character.
Okay, the prudes and the embittered haters would love to tear the movie apart, and that is exactly what they did. Don't let them spoil it for you, watch it for yourself, and then decide.
Powerful performance by Stacy Keach which gains sympathy every second of the way. What the average viewer here is most likely not gonna get, is that Kade goes for Jess because he is gentle with her, touching her the way she wants to be touched. Not rough-and-tumble. Not knock the stuffings out of her. I think that counts for something.
- RavenGlamDVDCollector
- Aug 19, 2017