A solid detective story, a thriller in the style of Argento, an exposé film, a comedy: a surprisingly effective combination of styles
A film of many souls, harmoniously brought together. Firstly, it is a solid detective story, complete with a healthy dose of shootouts and car chases (in a wonderfully dark and corrupt Milan). However, for long stretches it feels more like a thriller, with a killer whose criminal activities appear, due to their graphic cruelty, straight out of a Dario Argento film. Add to this a sort of exposé cinema, which delves into the world of child prostitution, the unscrupulous nature of high finance, and forces of order with their hands tied. And if that weren’t enough, the fast dialogue and a few healthy fistfights add a comedy element to proceedings. It could have easily have ended up a pastiche without rhyme nor reason; instead, it is a surprisingly effective mix.
Detective Germi investigates a child prostitution ring in Milan and uncovers a kidnapping racket, with an above-the-law banker the brains behind everything. Someone at police headquarters wants to brush the case under the carpet, but Germi decides to do things his way.
A solid detective story, a thriller in the style of Argento, an exposé film, a comedy: a surprisingly effective combination of styles
A film of many souls, harmoniously brought together. Firstly, it is a solid detective story, complete with a healthy dose of shootouts and car chases (in a wonderfully dark and corrupt Milan). However, for long stretches it feels more like a thriller, with a killer whose criminal activities appear, due to their graphic cruelty, straight out of a Dario Argento film. Add to this a sort of exposé cinema, which delves into the world of child prostitution, the unscrupulous nature of high finance, and forces of order with their hands tied. And if that weren’t enough, the fast dialogue and a few healthy fistfights add a comedy element to proceedings. It could have easily have ended up a pastiche without rhyme nor reason; instead, it is a surprisingly effective mix.
Detective Germi investigates a child prostitution ring in Milan and uncovers a kidnapping racket, with an above-the-law banker the brains behind everything. Someone at police headquarters wants to brush the case under the carpet, but Germi decides to do things his way.
