The Strange Vice of Mrs Wardh

The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh is a 1971 Italian giallo film (a subgenre of crime and mystery films) that boasts a striking mix of suspense, erotica and compelling storytelling. The film is directed by Sergio Martino, and stars the stunning Edwige Fenech, who could easily be declared the queen of giallo. Female-centered and full of psychological undertones, the film is a chilling tale of deceit, obsession, and murder.

As the lead character, the beautiful Edwige Fenech delivers a powerful performance as the disturbed, yet enticing, Julie Wardh. Married to the normally astute international diplomat Neil Wardh (Alberto de Mendoza), Julie radiates an aura of inscrutability around her; something that makes her both fascinating and intimidating. This psychological thriller centers around her past and present life that's brimming with an intense concoction of romance, betrayal, and subtle dread.

Julie's marriage to her emotionally distant husband adds another dynamic to the film. Neil, who's always tied up in his diplomatic responsibilities, fails to see the emotional needs of his wife. This makes the relationship strained and even cold, causing Julie to teeter at the brink of sanity. It’s almost as if she’s longing for something, or rather, someone to pull her out from her seemingly mundane life.

That someone doesn’t take long to appear. Enter George Hilton, playing the role of the audacious and captivating George Corro. Hilton, who's known for bringing charisma to his giallo roles, is perfectly cast as the charming rogue who is more than willing to fill in the emotional void in Julie’s life. A chance encounter turns into a steamy affair, offering Julie a much-needed respite from her stale martial life. However, a series of gruesome murders occurring around Julie starts to stir up buried memories of the past, especially of her sadomasochistic relationship with the vindictive Jean (Ivan Rassimov).

The film creates an intricate web of narratives weaving in elements of horror, eroticism, and mystery marinated in a deeply suffocating atmosphere. The murders themselves are explicitly graphic, almost reflecting the nature of passionate and violent relationships Julie had with Jean. The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh tracks this onslaught of murders, placing Julie and her relationships right at the heart of the mayhem.

The fact that Julie is both the object and subject of voyeurism in the movie adds another dimension of suspense. Through her, we see a prism of human horror constructed from various shades of perversion, anxiety, eroticism, and uncertainty. Consequently, the audience is kept on their toes constantly, compelled to question the reality of the events unfolding and the truth behind the enigmatic characters.

The superb performances are complemented by exemplary filmmaking. The spellbinding shots, picturesque locales, and competent direction craft a menacing visual tone. Furthermore, Nora Orlandi’s haunting score amplifies the eeriness, enhancing the overall impact of the movie.

The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh does not seek to create mere shock value through its torrent of scandals and gore. Instead, it attempts to delve into the human psyche, unveiling the latent darkness within average, everyday situations and individuals. It questions the extent to which people are capable of going when trapped within the confines of societal norms and the confines of their own, often misguided, desires.

Invigorating and gleefully suspenseful, The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh is an engrossing exploration of fear, lust, deception, and murder. With its exceptional cast and mature narrative, the film stands as a revolutionary thriller of the giallo category. It's a gripping cinematic journey that will make you question seemingly normal relationships and their hidden shadows, a fitting testament to the genre it so proudly represents.