Gianni Garko and the deadly pitfalls of modern interior design
This giallo by Gianfranco Piccioli is about the psychogram of a middle-aged man who finds himself in a very special, exceptional situation.
The wealthy doctor Andrea (Gianni Garko) can be a real prick, but perhaps that's why he's so successful. One day he gets into an argument with his beautiful girlfriend Daniela (Paola Senatore). A scuffle ensues in which Daniela accidentally bumps into a plant sculpture with steel leaves that decorates the doctor's apartment. Yes, modern art can have its pitfalls. Especially when it comes with a seventies design. A short time later, the astonished Andrea realizes that his girlfriend is dead. What to do? Give up everything? For an unfortunate accident? Andrea, who has strong nerves, disposes of the body. Everything goes well, but the difficulties are yet to come. Andrea's ex-lover Evelyn (Carroll Baker), who is also Daniela's half-sister (of all people!!!), is worried and calls in the police (Ivano Staccioli as an inspector). As if that wasn't unpleasant enough, Andrea is suddenly being blackmailed anonymously. How could anyone have found out about the fateful accident? Andrea is at a loss, and then things get more and more serious...
This Giallo is primarily the introduction of the main actor Gianni Garko (*1935), who is otherwise better known from various spaghetti westerns. But he also cuts a good figure as a successful doctor and an unscrupulous bon vivant. Carroll Baker, actually the uncrowned queen of the giallo, is not quite as central here, but is convincing as in all of her Italian films. Umberto Raho and the attractive Pilar Velazquez can be seen in other roles.
You shouldn't necessarily expect logic and a stringent plot from a giallo. The world of giallo is always free of morals and full of tricky twists. The special thing about this film, which is worth seeing, is that the focus is on the psychogram of a successful man who is all too sure of himself.
