Giochi erotici di una famiglia per bene

After finding his wife having an affair, a man who disposed of her supposedly-dead body becomes tormented with the idea that she's still alive once he moves on with a new lover as well as brings his niece to live with him which escalates the events further than he wishes.

This one wasn't all that bad of a horror/thriller. What really tends to work well for this one is the efficiency of how it goes about setting up its central plot line, managing to jump right in with the central idea of this one quite early on. Right away we get her adulteress behavior and then getting caught, only to then jump straight from that into the intended burial after her getting drugged and taken out onto the lake which is all handled quite quickly in here. The resulting aftermath of the event and his quick- rising guilt over the event becomes all that much better with these taking place so quickly and moving the film along, as ell as generating the necessary thriller elements that are much more in vogue here as this one plays with those far more than it does true horror elements with the full-blown concept of him going mad and being haunted by the hallucinations of her returning. The scenes of her watching the two of them making love to each other, popping up to talk to him at random intervals in his life or to continually call the niece on the phone and converse with only her makes this a somewhat creepier tale than what would be expected in such a thriller, but yet that's where the main impetus of this one falls into which can make this one feel quite underwhelming as it's constantly waiting for something horrific to happen that doesn't really show up as the main focus on him loosing his mind that is far more in keeping with that line rather than the horror thread so a vast majority of the film plays off on those tangents rather than anything more thrilling or chilling. Once it gets to the final reveal and the whole planned outcome of everything coming to fruition for both parties makes for a slightly more engaging time here with the double reveals and twists on display makes for quite a better time here once it's gotten past the thriller storyline for the rest of the film. It really makes for a better ending than expected here, which is quite an enjoyable element that holds this up somewhat.

Rated Unrated/R: Full Nudity, Language and Violence.

"Giochi erotici di una famiglia per bene," or "Erotic Games of a Good Family," is a tantalizing title that promises a titillating journey into the erotic and the taboo. Directed by Francesco Degli Espinosa, this 1975 Italian film is an intriguing yet messy blend of horror, thriller, and erotic genres, offering a unique viewing experience that, despite its flaws, has a certain irresistible charm.

The film kicks off with a bang as we're introduced to ultra-conservative politician Riccardo, who discovers his wife, Elisa, cheating on him. In a fit of rage, he murders her, setting off a chain of events that sees him transform from a moralistic man to a despicable one, engaging in prostitution, attempted incest, and further homicide.

The story then takes a turn for the supernatural as Riccardo is haunted by visions of his dead wife, blurring the lines between reality and hallucination. These visions become somewhat repetitive, causing the film's momentum to wane, but director Espinosa ensures the audience's attention with ample nudity and a bonkers ending packed with preposterous twists.

True to its title, the film does deliver on the erotic front, but perhaps not in the way one might expect. While there is a generous amount of nudity and sexual themes, the promised "erotic games" are somewhat lacking, replaced by a psychological giallo narrative that feels more absurd as the story progresses. The film is low on gore but high on sleaze, with a body count that includes a fall off a cliff and multiple double-crosses, adding to the chaotic nature of the plot.

The writing, credited to Renato Polselli, is undoubtedly psychological and prurient, with extended lovemaking scenes and a main plot that spirals into absurdity. The film feels like a product of its time and place, embracing the freedom of expression that characterized 1970s Italian cinema.

Overall, "Erotic Games of a Good Family" is an entertaining mess. It's a rare gem that, despite its flaws and predictability, offers a unique viewing experience. It might not be a masterpiece, but it's a captivating and enjoyable ride through the erotic, the supernatural, and the downright absurd.

So, if you're in the mood for a sexy, sleazy, and slightly scary trip back to the 1970s, this film might just be the unexpected treat you're looking for. Just be prepared for a wild and bizarre journey that only the Italians could deliver!

Story and script by Renato Polselli and it would have been best for all concerned if he had also directed. Francesco Degli Espinosa may have a grand name but his directorial skills are somewhat lacking. Could be the fault is with the script but despite the presence of the lovely Erika Blanc, this just seems to get sillier and sillier. In the end with its whole series of twists and turns we begin to see why there was that silliness and why this one, but really. Not helped by the ghostly visions that appear as if a third person has entered the bedroom but there again if you knew at the start the preposterous ending all would appear much clearer but of course then there would have been no story and no film. Anyone care? Actually the multiple 'endings' do salvage this and there was a smile on my face as the credits rolled, so I guess thats salvaged it then.

Professor Riccardo Rossi (Donald O'Brien), a staunch opposer of divorce, comes home to find his sexy wife Elisa (Malisa Longo) in the sack with her lover (who hot-foots it away before he can shoot them). Since he doesn't agree with legal separation, the prof drugs his adulterous wife instead, sticks her in a sack, and dumps her body in a lake (divorce bad, murder OK!).

Now footloose and fancy-free, Riccardo hooks up with hot hooker Eva (Erika Blanc) and even makes a successful pass at his attractive niece Barbara (Maria D'Incoronato), but finds himself plagued by visions of his dead wife, menaced by a bearded stranger in a car, and threatened by mysterious phone calls. Is he being haunted by Elisa, or is his wife somehow still alive and seeking revenge?

After the initial murder, Erotic Games of a Respectable Family loses a lot of its momentum, Prof Rossi's visions becoming rather repetitive and tedious, but director Francesco Degli Espinosa sees fit to include a reasonable amount of nudity from his lovely actresses, and makes perseverance worthwhile with a wonderfully bonkers ending, which features several preposterous twists in quick succession, leaving the film on a high. It's all incredibly silly, but one has to admire the sheer audacity of the final act.

6/10.

Movie on the border between hallucination, lies, madness, love and murder. There are too many twists and turns and in the end there is an explanation that lasts at least ten minutes but the plot holds up well and the film moves smoothly, even if slowly.