Blow Job

This bizarre film from Alberto Cavallone is from 1980 and that is after both Blue Movie (similarly misleadingly titled) and Man, Woman and Beast (aka: Spell) the only other films of his I have seen. All are interesting with graphic scenes and an emphasis on the animal side of man's nature or as more particularly here, the 'reality' of witchcraft. As with the other two films there is not too much emphasis on a linear narrative flow and more consideration given to a sensory involvement on an almost instinctive level. This would have been more irresistible had not the monetary restraints been so obvious (apparently a producer killed himself during the making of this, which is ironic considering the content). There are impressive scenes and one with naked girls, suited men and flaming torches that becomes balletic did remind of Eyes Wide Shut. Anna Massarelli is the young female lead here and she gives it her all despite the budget clearly not running to let her have any clothing for most of the film. For some reason I note this is the only film she ever made, hope that isn't for some unearthly reason because she does very well and helps to hold this together.

Alright, be honest, what do YOU think of when you read a title like "Blow Job" and see a thick & juicy pair of woman lips on the poster image? Pure and unhinged s-e-x, right? Well, Alberto Cavallone's movie sure is sleazy and full of nudity (mainly provided via the ravishing Andrea Belfiore) but it's not an adult or X-rated movie. What Cavallone tries to bring is a mix between lovers-on-the-run action and gothic witchcraft horror. The first 20-25 minutes are surprisingly compelling and original, in fact.

Two young lovers, Stefano and Diana, lock themselves up in a hotel room because they can't pay the bill. They can escape during the chaos of another hotel guest who committed suicide by jumping off her balcony and go to a horse racetrack hoping to win some money by gambling. Stefano wins a large sum thanks to the tip from a mysterious woman named Angela, but afterwards they can't get rid of her anymore. They go to Angela's creepy old mansion, where she seduces Diana and hypnotizes her at a party with several ominous guests. Suddenly, everything seems part of a plan to lure Stefano and Diana to the house; - even the suicide at the hotel.

Unfortunately, after an intriguing start, "Blow Job" turns into such an unimaginably dull, annoyingly slow-paced, and frustratingly confusing mess that even the short running time of 78min seems to last forever.

"Blow Job" by Alberto Cavallone is a mix of graphic sleaze and Gothic horror movie with a big dose of surrealism thrown in.It looks very cheap because one of the producers committed suicide during filming.A young and sexually active couple is thrown away from their hotel.A women is menaced by something unseen.She cries from help and jumps from the window splattering herself on the pavement.Plenty of bizarre characters appear including a biker whose head looks like a skull and group of old masked dancers carrying candles.Bizarre and fascinating piece of esoteric exploitation drenched with full-frontal nudity and sleaze.Cavallone said about "Blow Job":"The whole film was focused on the possibility of escaping from our own bodies by modifying sensorial perceptions through the use of drugs or self-concentration".7 out of 10.

This harmless little exploitation quickie has a hardcore title attached, which director Alberto Cavallone probably used to try to bait sensationalism-hungry viewers. Don't be misled: There is nothing sexual here that crosses the line of softcore. While Blow Job does occasionally score a few erotic notes, the bulk of this twaddle is a draggy supernatural yarn that begins on a tantalizing and mysterious note (a woman gets thrown to her bloody death by a malevolent spirit) and then takes a Daughters of Darkness-like spin into supernatural lesbian seduction. This sounds better than it actually is: it lacks the Grand Guignol humor and stylistic panache that made Harry Kümel's picture such a gem. An innocuous picture, to be certain, but you aren't missing anything if you skip this.