I Am What I Am

When I see Tinto Brass, I think of Cheeky and Salon Kitty. T&A features, not traditional giallo. I am willing to be surprised.

You are going to be reminded by a current jail occupant in Orlando, Fl, who was dancing the night away after her daughter went missing. The children. Jane (Ewa Aulin) and Jerome (Charles Kohler) Burroughs, in this film are in a nightclub right after they visit their father in the morgue. Guess death can't interfere with life.

Bernard (Jean-Louis Trintignant) discovers her with his dead partner and takes her away.

They go looking for the killer. It's not as bloody as most giallo, and there is no nudity to speak of, but it is worth watching. It had an almost comic book air at times, and the music was definitely upbeat.

The cinematography was outstanding on this print and really made it worthwhile.

Just saw this tonight uncut on the big screen here in Hollywood. Visually very nice. But not really a giallo, I don't know why people keep calling it that. There is a murder which basically occurs off-screen and has almost nothing to do with the "story." Virtually no violence, some eyebrow-raising sex, obviously inspired by Antonioni, et al. Little story, lots of avant garde/graphic style, references to Pop-Art/Lichtenstein, comics, "Blow-Up" and other movies/the Viet Nam War/other issues of the day. Nice visuals/editing/soundtrack (which was remarkably clear in the print I just saw, supposedly soon to be out on DVD). At times notably innovative and fresh. A bit of a surprise ending. Wandering narrative, quick cuts, lots of color and gritty flair. Swinging London backdrop. In b/w and color.

This is so bad actually.... i love tinto but what a mess. i literally........dont care about anything going on in this movie even the formal experiments are like....redundant. the tarzan scene killed the movie for me tho the ending was slightly redemptive but like...hardly lmao.

Also frantic, rambling and hyper-stylized. Tinto Brass is like a kid in a candy story in this movie, trying out every little trick in the book he can think of (split screen, black & white / color, fast cuts, fast motion, comic book inserts, etc.). Ewa Aulin is wonderful (an alternate title of the movie, I Am What I Am, sums her up perfectly), and there is also some terrific London location shooting. Plot-wise it doesn't make much sense, but I don't think it was supposed to; it is more about capturing a spur-of-the-moment spontaneity, and at that it succeeds. **1/2 out of 4.

This film is very stylized, liked a lot of the editing effects, the split images in-particular, also how it cuts to war images of Vietnam and changes to black and white in parts. The sets, costumes/wardrobe are elaborate and detailed, the lighting is very good also. Interesting to see London in the 60's, notice how the trains are still powered by steam in the scene behind the graveyard. The casting is quite strong especially Jean-Louis Trintignant who plays the lead role, he is supported by the beautiful Ewa Aulin, the cast of nefarious mob type figures is also a standout. The storyline although a little weak leaves you guessing until the end. It is quite enjoyable overall, but seems a little experimental and doesn't really mesh, but I liked the fact it had a sad ending.