Botas Negras, Chicote De Couro

Botas Negras, Latigo de Cuero (1983)

* 1/2 (out of 4)

Jess Franco's spy film about a detective (Robert Foster) who gets in over his head when he takes a new case given to him by a seedy S&M woman (Lina Romay). I had to view this one P&S as well as in Spanish without subs but I don't think it would have mattered either way. The film is incredibly slow, drawn out and there's really nothing too interesting going on. Foster has never been a favorite of mine and even Romay seems bored, although he comes to life during a rather sexy lesbian scene towards the end of the movie. There's an out of place hardcore scene thrown in, which does nothing and the S&M bondage stuff doesn't fly either.

This might be my favourite vehicle for prolific Spanish Director Jess Franco's Al Pereira character (of those I have seen). Antonio Mayans, sometimes billed as Robert Foster, has always struck me as one of the best actors in Franco's stable, and is better than the material sometimes deserves. Not that his professional life is too unpleasant - true to form, he is soon getting very intimate with Lina Romay, either on a desk, or up a tree. Romay is billed as Candy Coster, an acting alias that is marked by her wearing a rarely convincing blonde 'bob' wig. Said wig is probably at its most realistic here (and Romay looks captivating beneath it), so things could be worse.

Franco often shoots his films in the blazing sun, usually on the shores of some incredible beach or featuring some stunning architecture. Occasionally, like here, he will shoot during what appear to be winter months. 'Eugenie (1973)' and 'The Sadist of Notre Dame (1979)' are also examples of this. Whilst this film doesn't reach those heights, it does nevertheless make good use of Pereira - clandestine meetings, sleazy sex, violence and a fair veil of intrigue all mean that Mayans can make good use of his acting muscles ... as well as his other muscles. The stark seasonal conditions lend the scenes - especially those with Mayans and Romay, who look great together - a sense of picturesque poetry that befits their growing relationship and does beyond the sordid qualities of their initial meetings.

I have to disagree with the other reviewer here. To me Lina Romay is still looking good and the blonde hair suits her! (I suppose it is a matter of taste but Romay fans will not be let down.) She plays a hot stripper who uses her "goods" to manipulate Al Pereira (Antonio Mayans) into doing some dangerous detective work for her. There are NOT any hardcore scenes but it does come close at one point. This would rate a soft X probably but still it is pretty raunchy and not at all boring! Although the copy I saw was in Spanish language with no subtitles it was easy enough to follow if you've seen a few Jess Franco movies before.

Lots of uninspired sex scenes (one of which has a hardcore shot), some fighting and shooting, one whipping scene and lots of talk, talk, talk..

Even Romay is not attractive in that hair-do. The plot concerns exploits of Al Pereira (A. Mayans) who gets involved with a deadly night club performer (Romay).