Your Vice Is A Locked Room and Only I Have the Key (1972) - Sergio Martino

Well, this was a helluva a lot of fun.  Sergio Martino's Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I have the Key' is a great giallo cause it works on two levels-being an artistically interesting and complex cerebral film while not negating a nice slice of good wholesome sleaze.  As well directed and shot this film was, maybe the most surprising aspect to me is that acting is really the highlight of the entire film.  Luigi Pistilli, as the abusive, alcoholic writer and Anita Strindberg as his wife, truly stand out in this film and give great performances that features a nice blend of straight up craziness and subtlety - a pretty rare thing in these giallos. Through most of the film there is this, not sure how to say it, fractured perspective, where the viewer isnt entirely sure what is going on and what could possibly happen next.  This approach really aids in creating a nice sense of uncertainty which envelopes the entire film.  About two thirds of the way into the film, there is a narrative shift which completely works, making for a great finale.  The trademark extreme angle cinematography, frantic editing, etc. all just add to this sequence creating a really effective unstable atmosphere.   I still think The Strange Vice of Mrs Wardh as far as Martino's best film ive seen, but Vice certainly a great Giallo in its own right. 

8.25/10

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