Product: Day of the Woman (1978)
Rating: 5.0
MISUNDERSTOOD CLASSIC
Why is this brilliant film so maligned by so many so-called film critics? It is a gripping, intelligent anti-rape film, which is brilliantly acted by a cast of unknowns(though star Camille Keaton appeared in several Italian exploitation films). The 'Videohound' reviewer said that the scenes in the film were irresponsibly portrayed, which is a total joke. The reason why this film has such an impact is because it is so realistic; because of the lack of music, the great acting, and most importantly, the fact that the film is so subtle. In the rape and the murder scenes, the viewer sees very little; there is hardly any gore or graphicness. That is not irresponsible, that is brilliant film making. Anyone who thinks this film could encourage rapists obviously hasn't seen it, as the rapists get their brutal come-uppance. In fact, this film should be shown to convicted rapists over and over, like the pavlovian therapy meted out to Alex in 'A Clockwork Orange'; It might make them think twice about raping again. I think that ISOYG comes across as a feminist film, though wether or not Meir Zarchi intended this is hard to tell.