ronringhoffer
Caution-this review contains spoilers! I have to start this review stating that I am a HUGE fan of Italian horror, giallos & thrillers. I am an even bigger fan of Joe D'amato. Anthropophagus (Grim Reaper) is one of my favorite horror films. It is extremely well shot and has fantastic locations. Joe D'amato is a good director but an even better cinematographer. His movies always look slick and have great photography and locations. I spent close to 20 years trying to track this movie down on DVD/video. I was extremely interested in watching this movie because of the cast and the fact that it was shot in New Orleans. I contacted several video dealers in Italy, along with many movie collectors in Italy and could never find anyone that could get me a copy of this movie. The harder I tried to find the movie, the more I wanted it. I met a huge dealer of Italian movies, who claimed to have a copy of the movie, tell me he had the movie but could not find it in as his collection was too big. I finally gave up trying to locate the movie and then saw it on a list of movies available for $10 as a bootleg. I finally watched the movie I have been looking for for 20 years, directed by one of my favorite 1970/80's directors and here is what I thought of the movie.The movie starts off with Margaux Hemingway looking into a room and walking out in a state of confusion/shock. She packs her bags, leaves a note for her husband and leaves. At this point, we do not know what she saw or why she left. The opening is kind of cool because it starts with a mystery. Margaux looks pretty good in this movie. She is attractive but not what I would call a super hot looking actress that you normally see in an erotic thriller. She is shot to the best of her advantage, shown wearing dark sunglasses which add sex appeal to her. She does a nude scene and I would have to say that she is pretty good in this movie for an actress of limited ability.Margaux crosses paths with handsome actor Daniel McVicar. I had never heard of this actor until watching this movie and I would say that I was impressed with him. He is very good looking and has some style to him. It appears that he has had a decent career in Italian movies and TV. We soon find out that Daniel is hired to watch and follow Margaux. We are not sure of what Daniel is up to but we know that he is definitely keeping a close watch on Margaux. Daniel meets her as they are having dinner and they go to bed. Daniel starts to fall for Margaux and then tells her that he is a hit-man assigned to kill her. He will not kill her now that he likes her. Daniel has dealings with Appolonia, who apparently plays a call girl/escort. Daniel and Apollonia also go to bed. Apollonia appears to be a go-between for Daniel (the killer) and the person who ordered the contract on Margaux. Daniel decided not to kill Margaux, which get Apollonia into big trouble. The movie is a thriller and I will let you watch the movie to see how it ends.As I stated earlier, I am a HUGE Joe D'amato fan. I have seen almost every movie he has ever made. I actually had the great luck to meet Joe in person many years ago at a horror convention. I have met Lucio Fulci, Lamberto Bava, Sergio Stivelitti, Ruggero Deodato, and others, but I would have to say that I felt very lucky to meet Joe D'amato. I have to say that I was disappointed with this movie. I always wondered why it was next to impossible to find a movie directed by a very famous director and starring 2 famous glamorous actresses. Now I know why. The movie is pretty weak. On the up side, the movie is slightly stylish, Appolonia looks great, Daniel McVicar looks great, Margaux Hemingway looks good and puts in a decent performance. On the down side, the movie is not exciting and overall is not interesting. We never seem to like or care for any of the performers. The movie is pretty predictable. When you compare this movie to the countless dozens of other erotic thrilers made during this period, I would say that this is definitely below average. There is never any good suspense, no action, and really nothing to make you want to watch it again. The location shots of Mardi Gras and New Orleans do add to the film. I would not recommend this film to anyone to see unless they are big fans of Joe D'amato. I may have liked the movie a slight bit more if I was not expecting more. After watching the movie I thought I would give the movie a 3 out of 10 rating, but after thinking about the movie for many hours, I will now give the movie 4 out of 10. Apollonia is a big plus for the movie. She looks great but is not in the film very long. She does have several scenes. I would say that she is mainly eye candy, very nice looking but only a modest actress. Apollonia is best remembered today from Purple Rain with Prince. I always thought that Apollonia was a great beauty and should have had a bigger career.
Thomas Sundbäck
A Woman's secret (1991) is a bit different to many other D'amato outings. It has a very "American/commercial" feel compared to other of his films and he seems to have a slightly bigger budget than usual. Margaux Hemingway, Apollonia ("Purple Rain") and Dan McVicar (of "The Bold and the Beautiful" fame) handle their parts well and the film itself is easy to get into. It also lacks the sleaze factor that Joe D'amato films usually have (even if the film has some scenes of nudity).D'amato has added some extra attractions to the film, for instance there is quite a lot of footage from the Mardi Gras, even if the storyline didn't necessarily call for it. But it was nice to watch, though.The version I saw was dubbed in English. Sadly, the film is very hard to find because it could appeal even to those who would never watch a D' amato film otherwise and is a good showcase of Joe D'amato's more commercial talents.
