Orgasmo

This movie is not for everybody. Fans of the director Umberto Lenzi's cannibal films might be disappointed that no one is eaten alive, no women are hung up by their breasts via ridiculous-looking special effects, and no innocent animals were slaughtered in real life for their amusement. Instead you have a clever suspense movie that is well-photographed, well-acted, directed with panache, and, dare I say, even a little bit classy. Others may find actress Carroll Baker a bit on the voluptuous side compared to the poster children for anorexia and bulimia that pass for actresses today (and you may very well be blinded by her tan lines). But this is THE Carroll Baker, for christsake! The sex and nude scenes are pretty are tame by today's standards, but were very risqué for the time. This was a groundbreaking film that helped usher in both the Italian gialli and the free-spirited European sex films of the 70's.

The plot of this movie is somewhat similar to the recent film "Swimming Pool". A somewhat older, recently-widowed woman (Baker) is staying alone in an isolated Italian villa owned by her sleazy lawyer when she is seduced by a local gigolo and his "sister". At first, the diabolical pair just get her to loosen up and enjoy life again, but then they start to blackmail her and torture her (and possibly the viewer) by playing the same song over and over again until she starts to go crazy.

I liked almost everything about the movie (even the strangely catchy song), but the America version has this ridiculous deus ex machina ending-- because, of course, the evil-doers MUST be punished. Maybe if this is ever released on legitimate DVD, someone will dig up the European version (maybe put both on the same DVD like they did with "Delerium"). Oh well, whatever, check it out.

Orgasmo radiates the glossy decadence of late-sixties Italy, weaving together sun-drenched luxury and creeping psychological menace. The film's greatest asset is its atmosphere: the camera glides through a lavish villa and its lush grounds, capturing both the seductive beauty of the setting and the claustrophobic tension that slowly builds within its walls. Cinematographer Guglielmo Mancori uses vibrant colors, elegant pans, and frequent close-ups to create a visual style that is both alluring and unsettling. The effect is heightened by moments of psychedelic excess, zoom-ins, off-kilter angles, and red-tinted lighting, that mirror the protagonist's spiraling mental state. While some of these stylistic flourishes border on the heavy-handed, they undeniably contribute to the film's distinctive mood, evoking a sense of disorientation and unease that lingers long after the credits roll.

Carroll Baker, as the recently widowed American socialite Kathryn West, delivers a performance that anchors the film. She deftly balances vulnerability and sophistication, making Kathryn's descent into paranoia and confusion both believable and sympathetic. Baker's expressive face and subtle shifts in demeanor convey a woman gradually losing her grip, and she remains compelling even when the script falters. Lou Castel, playing the enigmatic Peter, brings a sly, unpredictable energy to the role, his charm tinged with menace. Colette Descombes is memorable as the mysterious Eva, though her character is more a catalyst for chaos than a fully realized presence. Among the cast, Baker stands out; her portrayal elevates the material and ensures the audience remains invested in her fate.

Despite its visual flair and strong performances, Orgasmo stumbles in its pacing and narrative originality. The film's plot, built around seduction, manipulation, and psychological torment, unfolds with a sense of inevitability that undercuts the intended suspense. The story's twists are telegraphed early on, and the limited number of characters makes the outcome relatively easy to predict for seasoned viewers. At times, the film leans too heavily on its modish style and erotic trappings, sacrificing depth for surface pleasures. Still, Lenzi's direction keeps the tension simmering, and the film's mod soundtrack and glamorous production design provide ample entertainment for fans of the genre.

Carroll Baker plays a woman who falls for the wrong guy who torments her along with his demented sister so that they can drive her mad. For a giallo film, it's only a slightly more stylized classic gaslighting thriller, but there's enough sex and nudity to remind you that you're watching an Italian thriller.

It's tempting to look at this movie and think: What on earth is Carroll Baker doing in this piece of junk? (One becomes a lot less judgmental after reading Baker's autobiography and finding out this film came along at a time when Baker was in somewhat dire financial straits.)

It's still a piece of junk. "Paranoia" is a nasty, amateurish, inept thriller that tries hard to be sexy, but is more embarrassing than erotic. I don't know how it plays in Italian, but the (partly dubbed) English dialogue is as ghastly as the direction (somebody take away Umberto Lenzi's zoom lens!). There is one intriguing, identity-blurring moment when Baker playfully dons a dark wig that makes her look so much like co-star Colette Descombes, it's spooky. (Yes, of course it's a rip-off of "L'Avventura," but in this film, you take whatever you can get.) The movie's ending is beneath "Contempt."

(Interestingly, Baker in her memoirs mistakenly identifies her character as a divorcée instead of a widow, and never mentions the movie by name, either by its American title, "Paranoia," or its oh-so-charming Italian appellation, "Orgasmo.")

Yes, I was confused about this film, even though for American release they shared the title with "A Quiet Place to Kill" This flick is worth watching for the late 60's clothes and music. Anyone who knows who the group is singing in the nightclub scene please email me, as I love that song.

Carroll, looking lovely get tormented by a pair of kinky siblings, or so we think. Actually,, the sex, drugs & orgies are tame by today's standards but the editing still bugs me on this one. Still, a good roll in the mud thanks to a talented cast. I still think the actress who played the housekeeper looks like a bad drag queen, but hey, not everyone is a glamour puss like Carroll!