PrimeWire

Wild to think this was made in 1975, as I feel like this was both appropriate for the era but also ahead of its time. That said, it still fits with the Current Year, maybe even on a broader scope. This could be seen as a send up of Hollywood culture, but there’s so much more. I randomly remembered this book but barely, what a nice surprise to find this movie.
Karen Black is on a roll here—- perfectly over the top, sparkly and silly amid a backdrop of palm trees and chaos. If you’ve not read the book, the plot can be a little confusing but it’s likely the excellent scenery will keep your attention as well. There really is a lot going on here ,but I’d rather not turn this into a long analysis as there are many ways you could perceive all the elements here.
What I will say is that this is an exceptionally poetic, artfully trashy and gleefully dark film that takes familiar archetypes and stereotypes, pits them against one another, relishes the tension and then just shreds the whole mess. The dreamy, shimmery film (REAL film yall!) adds a feverish, dizzy effect— and of course that Old Hollywood look—- softening the voyeuristic, sneaky angles that give us insight or emphasis on different situations, some very small.
There’s a lot to pay attention to here, and while it’s a long film it certainly isn’t boring. We’ve got a weird assortment of characters who at once are spirited but also crushed and despondent, the emotional exploration fans and swells into an unexpectedly intense ending (I’d apparently forgotten how the book ended).
Are you feeling jaded but you still want to laugh a bit? This hits that spot.