Very good this melodrama directed by Aristide Massaccesi. Written by Daniele Stroppa, the script benefits of a solid character development that puts it above the director's other films shot in New Orleans. The story was so well structured that D'Amato didn't need to pad the running time with the usual long scenes where nothing happens, like people walking in the streets, for example.
The plot: After spending five years in prison, a young man called Jeff decides to restart his life. At a gas station, he meets a beautiful and mysterious woman who gives him a ride and ends up having sex with him in her car. Frustrated with Jeff having ejaculated too quickly, the woman abandons him in the middle of the road. He then gets another ride that takes him to his brother Gordon's restaurant. To Jeff's surprise, his brother has a beautiful wife named Linda, who is none other than the same woman he met at the gas station. A sordid and dangerous love triangle begins.
Although being considered an erotic thriller, this film has very little nudity or sex scenes, what is unusual for a Joe D'Amato production. The crime aspect is also very peripheral, what may disappoint the viewer craving for an escalating feeling of suspense and an impactful climax. Far from being a defect, theses aspects make of "Passion's Flower" a differential work, focussed more on the human feelings than in actions. Instead of boring, I found the omnipresent "monotony" in the narrative as an interesting realistic factor. After all, in the dynamics of real life, people are not confronted with impactant situations all the time. Jeff, Linda and Gordon are not one-dimensional characters. On the contrary, the exchange of glances and the dialogues between them are loaded with conflicting and repressed feelings that almost escape control. It can be said that the film is monotonous in the field of physical action, but not in the field of emotions.
The acting is quite good, especially considering that this is an obscure B movie with an unknown cast. As the female protagonist, former Playboy playmate Kristine Rose is perfect as the unscrupulous femme fatale using her charms to manipulate Jeff. Rose had previously appeared in "Web Of Desire" (1989), also directed by D'Amato, and other low budget productions before falling in total anonimity. In the web, not even her birthday is informed. A shame, as she was one of the most beautiful playmates of all time. Laura Gemser has an uncredited cameo as a prostitute and is listed in the ending credits as being in charge of art direction and costumes.
Although highly influenced by American cinema, D'Amato still managed to add some of his trademarks, like when Linda and Jeff are showed attending a parade. It is the typical "filler" sequence that enables him to explore his documentaristic vein. Very well directed, this movie deserved to be more mentioned by fans of the director.
