All the Sins of Sodom

All the Sins of Sodom (1968)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Photographer Daryl (Dan Machuen) uses his connections to beautiful women to sleep with as many as he can. However, after sleeping with them he wants nothing else to do with them but that changes after hooking up with Leslie (Maria Lease). Soon Daryl allows a homeless woman (Sue Akers) to move in with him and before long more sins follow.

The more films from Joseph W. Sarno that I watch the more I realize that he was probably meant to be born in Europe where he'd probably be a lot more appreciated. Everyone talks about the way Sarno is like a European director and many like to compare his moody films to those of Ingmar Bergman. Now, there's no way, shape or form that Sarno is as great as Bergman but there's no question that his movies are a notch above what you typical see out of the genre.

ALL THE SINS OF SODOM isn't a complete success but there's still quite a bit of good throughout the movie starting with the performances. I really thought Machuen was extremely good in the lead role and he had no problem making you believe he was this character. I thought Lease was also very good in her role as was Akers. The three of them share a great and twisted chemistry and this here certainly helps keep the film moving. I'd also argue that the cinematography was drop dead gorgeous and was the highlight of the entire picture.

There were still some flaws including the fact that there's a bit too much plot and not enough of it really sticks to where you deeply care for any of the characters. Still, Sarno has created another moody film that his fans will enjoy.

Psychosexual cinema, the directors work has been described as. Its hard to overlook that a large portion of the film is spent in the sack. Even by 70s and 80s french film standards, this would be a pretty raunchy affair. Still, there is much more going on in this film, and I would reclassify it for modern audiences. After all theres no genitalia on show or unsimulated sexual intercourse. The performances from the photographer and girl he lets stay over in his store room are pulled of fantastically, with a lot of heart. Its a movie driven by characters and sexual tensions. Mature modern audiences would get this movie I think, time for of a revival Joseph W. Sarno.