Search - The Blonde on DVD

For fans of romanticism, Euro script, about those with a big

Pork Chop | Lisbon, Portugal | 06/15/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"LA BIONDA (1996, THE BLONDE), is an Italian movie but also perfectly

suitable for European tastes and theatres, seeking to capitalize on

Nastassja Kinski who at the time was in her mid-30's and had a proven

track record in drawing large audiences, like any number of big stars

who were at their peak back in the 1980's.



For those viewers who are fans of romanticism on the silver screen,

this is their gig, especially those who have learned themselves in

life or witnessed others who showed a huge heart, idealism, a

selfless dream or infatuation with a woman, idea, dream despite their

human shortcomings, physical handicaps, etc.



In this movie, we Sergio Rubini, (who resembles the French singer

and TV personality Patrick Bruel), plays a student in a clock/ watch

professional repair school, leaving his girlfriend back home, while

he's occupying an empty apartment in Milan for the duration of his

training. Despite walking with a cane, due to a bad leg, Rubini shows

to be an honest, modest, decent, upstanding citizen who is trying to

make a place for himself in this world.



Rubini gets involved in a road accident, resulting in a 48 hour loss

of memory for Kinski, (a pedestrian) who loses her notion of self

identity. As such, she first becomes a close friend of Rubini's by

seducing him, and then a one night stand, as natural impulses

momentarily overwhelm both in their perception of isolation.



The action unfolds convincingly, realistically, with sufficient charm

and suspense to keep the audience's interest alive throughout,

culminating in a car chase, and a gun battle.



The filming is standard fare, professional theatre quality, with a

notable skill in filming night scenes (clear, sharp, impeccable

througout.)



The soundtrack perhaps intentionally or not, is split 50/50, ranging

between at times cheesy 1970's ambience music, with dollar store

grade synthesizer effects, to acceptable saxophone solos and other

accompaniment that throughful and appropriate.



Wishing to maintain her reputation as a femme fatale, and responding

to a segment of the ticket goer's expectations, there are a few

moments in the movie, where Kinski responds to her gangster partner's

libido, the latter having immodest and spontaneous urges.



For those not from Italy, there's quite a bit of panoramic outdoor

shots of Milan, of historical momuments, buildings and its

architectural legacy, with a bit of noon hour downtown modern

traffic, typical of any city of the size of Milan.



From the human point of view, and since Kinski is seen manipulating

her partner, mixing business with pleasure, and secretly preparing a

drug burn, after she recovers her memory, the movie suggests that

it's a fact of life that one's human nature, the underlying,

simplistic, basic preferences, at times romantic ones, are

overwhelmed with rational, intellectual, strategic and monetary

objectives. Repressed feelings also stem from from one's social

upbringing (mores, norms) and educational background. Rubini drives a

Fiat Panda small car, while Kinski drives a BMW, in an expensive

home, in a prime spot in the city. Kinski dumps Rubini for all those

reasons, as she pursues her goal of a big score, on her mark, her

big shot boyfriend.



The audience may appreciate Rubini's character who overcomes his

physical ailment, in a selfless pursuit of his infatuation with his

one night stand, Kinski, to the point of ditching, as he's drawn to

her like a moth to a burning light bulb. I would give 3 stars, if not

for Kinksi's one-trick pony facial expressions and acting, a bit

repetitive."