Fascination

I've seen only a handful of Jean Rollin films and I have to say that this one is the best yet. Though still hampered with low budget set-up and stiff acting and stilted dialogue, FASCINATION remains watchable from beginning to end. The concept is excellent and the film never gets off track from its interesting story.

This idea is so good, the film should be remade with a suitable budget and a capable cast of real actors. The whole thing would be quite spectacular. The lesbian sex scene would probably be dropped, which would disappoint Rollin fans but I wouldn't mind seeing a classy version of this film if it meant a few changes from the original.

But in the meantime, make sure to check this film out. It's worth it if you like slightly odd and out-of-character bloody dramas.

Fascination (1979)

*** (out of 4)

Marc (Jean-Marie Lemaire) is a thief on the run from the people he stole from. He ends up taking shelter in a castle where he soon meets Eva (Brigitte Lahaie) and Elisabeth (Franca Mai). The two women come off as incredibly strange but they keep referring to a party later that evening that Marc can't see.

Jean Rollin's FASCINATION is without question one of the director's better films, although the final act does take a bit too long to get where it's going. If you're not a fan of Rollin's work then I'd probably recommend that you start with THE LIVING DEAD GIRL or one of his vampire films but once you're used to his work this film will have so many of the director's touches.

As you'd expect, there's all sorts of sexuality between both the two women as well as their seduction scenes with Marc. It's really amazing how the likes of Rollin and Jess Franco could milk any scene for all the sexuality that it's worth and it happens here as well. One of the highlights is a sequence where Lahaie goes after one of the men trying to kill Marc. This entire sequence is perfectly directed and contains both the sexuality and violence that you've come to expect from Rollin.

Speaking of Lahaie, she easily steals the film with her raging beauty that just leaps off the screen. I've seen several of her movies but the way she looks here is just terrific and I'd argue she's never looked better in any other movie. Both Mai and Lemaire are also good in their roles. FASCINATION has a terrific visual quality and there's no doubt that the locations are put to good use. Fans of Rollin will certainly enjoy this one.

A thief who is fleeing the partners that he double-crossed comes across a mansion with only two beautiful (and odd) occupants. His plan to stay until nightfall seems to be easily achievable when he finds out the home owners have no desire for him to leave.

From this simple premise Rollin creates his most engrossing work with the thief coming to realize that his greatest threat may not be the crooks outside the house but the ladies within. Though slow moving this film ratchets up the tension as midnight approaches and a mysterious ceremony is soon to begin.

Strong performances abound with special mention to frequent Rollin star Brigitte Lahaie who has never looked (or acted) better. The women in this film are all incredible and like in all of his films, Rollin shows a photographer's eye for beauty. Once again Rollin indulges in his fondness for lesbian sex scenes but they don't overpower the film like they do in some of his other works.

For anyone who has not yet seen a Rollin film, either this one or 'Grapes of death' would make excellent starters although, obviously, keep the kids away.

I'm an admirer of Jean Rollins work, and this film is the one which to me best represents his style. It succeeds in blending the sexual predator images of the more successful Hammer vampire movies, with the doomed romanticism of French cinema. The production values are low, presumably they operated on a very small budget, but as I was starting to experiment with my own super8 films, I was inspired by how much it achieves in spite of its limitations. The film is driven by a series of powerful images, notably the semi-naked girl wielding a scythe, and the odd bit of lesbian love action. As with all of Rollins best films, you get the feeling of getting a glimpse of, and being allowed to share, a very personal obsession.

'Fascination' is a very apt title for this spellbinding movie! A typically dreamlike and stylish work from the remarkable Jean Rollin. Yup, it's another lesbian vampire movie (from a decade that produced quite a few!) but Rollin, like Jess Franco, puts his own original touches to it which make it truly unforgettable. Like most of Franco's (and Dario Argento's) output, atmosphere and aesthetics are more important than plot, and the performances of the actors involved are variable. Rollin doesn't seem to be too concerned with creating believable characters, he uses his (beautiful) actresses as striking images moving across a background. His movies are often closer to paintings than your standard Hammer horror. That's why 'Fascination' is so unlike most vampire movies you'll ever see. Inspired and original. Don't miss this one!