Product: Day of the Woman (1978)
Rating: 3.0
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One of the most notorious films of modern times. Made on a shoestring budget with Buster Keaton's granddaughter in a dubious role, ISOYG (also known as "Day of the Woman") has made lists of the worst movies, most disturbing movies, movies to be banned. The overall message is clear: rape is avenged, with a vengeance. What is interesting is the shift in method of revenge. The first two rapists are killed within sexual contexts, the second in scenes of visceral violence minus a sexual dimension. Does this represent a change in Keaton's character's mindset? (cf. the interesting scene where she reflects, almost meditatively, on whatever while her second victim fills her bathroom with blood and screams). One thing is for sure...no viewer will identify with these four rapists (which would have been irresponsible for Zarchi to allow). What is probably so controversial, besides the incredibly brutal rape sequence (it actually stretches over three scenes and there is no eroticism - this is rape for what it is, brutal and vicious, with sex merely the weapon of choice), is the mentally retarded character who plays the first one of the four. Zarchi provides enough issues via this character to write a book. A diffficult movie to recommend...too notorious nowadays to ignore completely. A tour de force acting job by Camille Keaton...whatever happened to her?