As much as I like Abel's works, this is one of his weakest. Almost as if trying to ride on the coat tails of Wim Wenders 'Until The End Of The World' sans narrative to make it more mysterious. It works and doesn't work, ala Blade Runner. Had there been a voice over to explain things a bit better, and a version without - I think this movie could've fared much better in reception. As it stands, the viewer has to piece together the characters from scratch. Fox and X (Walken and Dafoe) start off as a couple of seemingly sleazy sex purveyors at a lurid club. X is attracted to and beds Sandi (Argento), whom Fox makes an offer to as he intrudes on them in the morning. Tempt this brilliant Japanese scientist whose living like a rock star already into falling for her, and follow her wherever she may go. Fox and X have been planning this for a year, and have personal footage of the scientist's interests and perversions. Sandi accepts the challenge, and Fox wants X to make her irresistible. Where the movie goes off the rails is that we never see Sandi with the scientist. It skips time to where she returns to report to Fox and X how everything is going. She's won him over, caused him to leave his wife and is totally wrapped around her finger. Fox is more than elated with this, and plans to set the scientist up in Marrakesh, and let the rival corporation know he has him - but for a large sum of money. X and Sandi try to continue their relationship, but are now both scared that with this scientist lured away and the money involved, things could get dangerous. And without giving spoilers away - things go very bad, very quickly! And the remainder of the movie is essentially X trying to piece it all together what and who went wrong? Without any clear conclusion other than what the viewer can construed. Who was the double crosser? Was Sandi in on it well before X even saw her? Did Fox push it too far? Or were they all so naive to think it was going to be a easy relocation? The movie is based on a short story by 'cyber punk' author William Gibson. I had bought the French special edition of this movie, which does include the original story with the movie, which I haven't read yet. And maybe advisable to do so before diving into the movie cold? The cast play their parts well, as mysterious as they all seem to be. But any subtleties of looks or pertinent dialog never come to full fruition. Are they aware of certain things - or just suspicious? And as X says so blatantly approaching the climax "I'm sorry, I'm just confused" Aren't we all after this mess?
Review of New Rose Hotel
