La ronde, once again
My review was written in January 1986 after watching the film on a video cassette screener.
"Love Circles" is the latest remake of "Reigen", oft-filmed Arthur Schnitzler play which gave rise to Max Ophuls' classic 1950 version, "La Ronde". New one is a feature made for cable, shown by the Playboy Channel last fall.
In common with other recent updates such as "N. Y. Nights" and "Ring of Desire", "Love Circles" emphasizes the sexual aspect of the format. With very attractive women and impressive globe-hopping locations, it is okay adult programming for Playboy, but a rather weak entry for theatrical use abroad.
Marie France sets the circle of love in motion when she beds down an American deejay in Paris, John Sibbit. A cryptic warning about her fails to reach him in time, as in this modernized (and poor taste) version, the woman apparently is carrying a social disease.
The chain continues through a variety of liaisons, including black actress Josephine Jacqueline Jones (who has appeared in several made-for-Playboy features including "Black Venus") as a jewelry clerk in the Carlton Hotel in Cannes; Lisa Allison as a film and legit actress auditioning for play director Timothy Wood; and Michele Siu portraying twins who can be told apart by butterfly tattoos positioned on different sides of their posteriors.
Credit filmmaker Harry Alan Towers with rounding up an attractive cast, particularly Lisa Allison, who easily could qualify for Playboy Playmate status. Poor dubbing and a weak script detract from some stylish direction by Gerard Kikoine (better known for his many hardcore porn features). Besides the veiled reference to venereal disease, the chain concept is demonstrated here (with attempted irony) by a pack of clove-scented cigarettes which is passed along in each segment until it is returned to a puzzled Marie France at film's end.
"Love Circles" is the latest remake of "Reigen", oft-filmed Arthur Schnitzler play which gave rise to Max Ophuls' classic 1950 version, "La Ronde". New one is a feature made for cable, shown by the Playboy Channel last fall.
In common with other recent updates such as "N. Y. Nights" and "Ring of Desire", "Love Circles" emphasizes the sexual aspect of the format. With very attractive women and impressive globe-hopping locations, it is okay adult programming for Playboy, but a rather weak entry for theatrical use abroad.
Marie France sets the circle of love in motion when she beds down an American deejay in Paris, John Sibbit. A cryptic warning about her fails to reach him in time, as in this modernized (and poor taste) version, the woman apparently is carrying a social disease.
The chain continues through a variety of liaisons, including black actress Josephine Jacqueline Jones (who has appeared in several made-for-Playboy features including "Black Venus") as a jewelry clerk in the Carlton Hotel in Cannes; Lisa Allison as a film and legit actress auditioning for play director Timothy Wood; and Michele Siu portraying twins who can be told apart by butterfly tattoos positioned on different sides of their posteriors.
Credit filmmaker Harry Alan Towers with rounding up an attractive cast, particularly Lisa Allison, who easily could qualify for Playboy Playmate status. Poor dubbing and a weak script detract from some stylish direction by Gerard Kikoine (better known for his many hardcore porn features). Besides the veiled reference to venereal disease, the chain concept is demonstrated here (with attempted irony) by a pack of clove-scented cigarettes which is passed along in each segment until it is returned to a puzzled Marie France at film's end.
- lor_
- Feb 28, 2023