The Pyjama Girl Case

The Pyjama Girl Case is a 1977 vintage gem of Italian giallo cinema, now released as a cult film. Directed by Flavio Mogherini, this intricate thriller unfolds between Australia and Italy, utilizing non-linear storytelling to generate suspense and curiosity. The movie witnesses lauded performances of Hollywood’s own Oscar-winner Ray Milland and Italian actress Dalila Di Lazzaro, accompanied by Michele Placido.

As murky and tantalizing as the genre commands, The Pyjama Girl Case begins with the gruesome discovery of a woman's charred corpse found by the edge of a beach in Australia, attracting instant media coverage. The brutal sight is made all the more haunting when the victim is referred to as "Pyjama Girl" due to the yellow pyjamas she seems to have been killed in. The mystery surrounding the murder sets the stage for a breath-holding quest for truth, justice and a journey into the dark recesses of human behavior.

The narrative proceeds through two interwoven timelines. One follows the exceptionally dogged and melancholy Inspector Timpson, played by Ray Milland, who is on the hunt for the killer. Portrayed as a cop rebounding from retirement, Inspector Timpson is a moderately antithetical figure in the world of detectives. He relies more on intuition and humanity rather than shrewd reasoning and aggressive pursuit, bringing a unique outlook to the investigation. Timpson's understanding of the harm humanity does to itself, makes his character all the more intriguing, standing firm amid the movie's stylish tumult.

Concurrently, the film drills into the past, zooming in on Glenda, a vibrant and liberated Italian immigrant in Australia, played brilliantly by Dalila Di Lazzaro. The frivolity of youth is contrasted sharply against the inescapable shadows of her circumstances. Rapidly, Glenda's life veers out of control, due to poor choices and insensitive individuals. The plot contemplates her life, follows her destructive deeds and relationships, and hints implicitly at her fate.

A third important character worth highlighting is Antonio Atti, played by Michele Placido. He is portrayed as a boxing instructor entangled in Glenda’s life and plays a pivotal part in the story, adding several layers to the narrative. Placido brings a touch of masculinity with his character that starkly contrasts with Glenda's effervescence.

The Pyjama Girl Case, rather being than just a murder mystery, is an exploration of the darker, sadder facets of our society that are frequently ignored. It looks into the lives of immigrants, the cultural clashes, the impersonal nature of modern existence, and the harsh realities of contemporary life.

The movie is structured intriguingly. It introduces both timelines without clearly indicating which is the past, which is the present, thus defying linear storytelling norms. This aspect of the film adds a remarkable layer of complexity. The audience is led through interchanging timelines, left to put the pieces of the puzzle together as the plot unfolds.

The Pyjama Girl Case is beautifully shot with strikingly vivid use of colours and locations - beach, groups of enigmatic people strutting around, smoky bars, and neon-lit nightclubs. The locales have been rendered thoughtfully, rendering a rather heartfelt, if unsettling view of 1970s Italy and Australia. The musical score by Riz Ortolani provides an eerie undertone, enhancing the movie's mystique.

While a traditional, linear narrative may have been easier to comprehend, the usage of a stylish non-linear narrative is what sets The Pyjama Girl Case apart. The storyline is so craftily intricate that each watch allows for a new interpretation, or an unnoticed detail rediscovered.

In conclusion, The Pyjama Girl Case is more than just a whodunit film. It stands as a time capsule of a certain era, an exploration into society's grimy corners, with its impressive performances and stylistic choices transforming it into an unorthodox classic that is guaranteed to ensnare audiences. It's a perfect watch for enthusiasts of foreign film, noir features, and vintage crime thrillers.