Jussi: Haute Tension (Switchblade Romance)

[Boodikka]

Have you seen it yet? It probably won't be released here (too graphic). Most hardcore types seem to love the film, and HATE the ending! It's supposedly very Fulci-giallo.

[JussiK]

Saw it first last year in Paris, then here in Finland, now own the dvd - an absolute killer of a film. It's technically brilliant, genuinely unsettling and hideously gory without being juvenile. It's not remotely fulciesque, really, nor would I not call it a giallo. What you get is a no holds barred horror movie, pure and simple. The two leading actresses are impeccable and there's not a teenager in the cast. The film is wonderfully lit, sharply edited, and directed with diabolical skill. The story is nothing new but the way it's handled makes it completely fresh. The twist ending has indeed divided audiences but true lovers of the genre have stood up and cheered. Now, apparently a badly re-edited and therefore useless version has been waiting theatrical realese in America for quite a while now. Get the surprisingly enough uncut British disc from amazon or French dvd from amazon.fr. You'll be impressed.