[psycho d]

A Lizard in a Woman's Skin (1971). Giallos are usually a hit or miss thing for me, and Fulci always lands on the miss side of the ledger, until Lizard that is. The opening sequence is one of the most captivating cinematic embarkation ever made, and it becomes the film's focus for the remainder. The feel of the flick is that of a bad acid trip made worse by the intrusion of reality. The imagery alone makes Lizard worth a go, but its stylish look is but one of its remarkable attributes. The acting and dialog are at times laughable, but injected into the meat of this flick are believable bits and pieces that keep the eyes from tiring from relentless rolling. Ernie Morricone's score is appropriately punctuated by a splendid and jazzy score, adding to the impressive and psychedelic atmosphere of this 70s mystery. Lucio Fulci has finally proved that he actually can direct with concentrated aplomb, heresy I know but my opinion none the less. The camera works its magic with stunning visuals and creative takes, which is all the more appreciated since its lens supported by the other aspects of movie making as opposed to standing alone in its wizardry. Amazingly, it is the story that is the standout here, a murder mystery that captivates the audience throughout only to utilize the last segment to wonderfully throw our guesses of culpability in every imaginable direction, only to have the truth thrown in our face at the last possible minute, a truth that should have been obvious but that was wonderfully kept out of reach. All in all, Lizard is a giallo with impressive performances by Fulci and crew whose trippy sequences are actually supported by the story as opposed to be encumbered by it. Merci.
d