The Key

The Key, directed by the esteemed Italian filmmaker Tinto Brass in 1983, is a steamy and intense tale of obsession, desire, and passion. The film is directly adapted from Junichiro Tanizaki’s infamous 1956 novel Kagi, a deeply provocative exploration of sexual dynamics set against a backdrop of psychological intrigue.

Well-known English actor Frank Finlay stars as Nobile, a middle-aged professor who lives a rather mundane life in Venice during the late 1930's. His life changes after he launches into a passionate affair with his beautiful wife Teresa, played by the amazing Stefania Sandrelli. Teresa is younger than Nobile, vibrant and alluring, drawing the affections of their future son-in-law, Laszlo, played by Franco Branciaroli, making this a tangled web of complex relationships.

The film is a deep dive into the world of sexual obsession and voyeurism, highlighting the raw passions and unearthed pretensions of a seemingly normal middle-aged couple. The narrative of The Key unfolds through the duo's private diaries, revealing unexpressed emotions, veiled lust and intensifying insecurities around aging and sexual prowess. Through these diary entries, Nobile and Teresa engage in an unsaid dialogue, discovering hidden facets of their own selves and each other, forming an integral part of the narrative structure.

The darkly fascinating theme of voyeurism in the film is expressed through the existence of these diaries and their mutual and intentional invasion of their private thoughts. It’s an intriguing examination of how the written word instigates an erotic response, eliciting desire, jealousy and sparking fantasies that eventually intersect with reality.

Adding to the complex intricacies of the tale is Franco Branciaroli in the role of Laszlo. He brings a unique dynamic into this already tense relationship, creating an intricate yet indistinct lines between love, lust, desire and passion, and jealousy. The transgressive attraction also contributes to building the layered psyche of the characters and their relationships.

The setting of pre-war Venice adds an atmospheric charm to the movie. Its romantic allure is well counterbalanced by the underlying tension brewing among the characters. The city’s antiquated charm and misty environs contribute generously towards creating a sense of impending crisis that mirrors the tumultuous turmoil of the characters' lives. Enriched with Tinto Brass’s distinctive cinematic style, the movie creates an engaging visual narrative with its strong period detail and rich cinematography.

The performances by the trio of actors carry the entire breadth of the film. Frank Finlay embodies the helpless obsession of Nobile with a melancholic desperation. Stefania Sandrelli balances the assertive and passive aspects of Teresa's character with an entrancing performance. Franco Branciaroli's portrayal of Laszlo, a charming young man entangled unwittingly in this erotic game of desire and jealousy, is commendable, adding depth to his character and the overall narrative.

The Key is ultimately an exploration of the complexities of human sexual and emotional relationships. Brass opens up a narrative where desire and obsession are brought to the forefront, dissecting the intricacies of relationships, lust, desires, age and power dynamics, and the uncertainties associated with them. It is a film where the unwritten rules of relationships are crossed, boundaries are blurred, and the perceived taboos are challenged openly, sometimes sincerely, but most times surreptitiously.

In conclusion, The Key is an intense drama that explores mature sexual themes within the confines of a complex relationship dynamic. With superb performances and an engaging narrative, the film creates a universe where every character is flawed, susceptible to their passions and yet uncompromisingly real. The Key, despite its explicit thematic content, is an authentic portrayal of the tumultuous roller coaster of emotional and sexual dynamics within relationships. Dive into Tinto Brass's world and experience all the raw and charged intensity this film exuberantly exhales.