Review of What Have You Done to Solange? (1972) by Camden N — 15 Aug 2010
Above average giallo from the reliable Massimo Dallamano (who unfortunately died in a car accident before he was able to complete the third in his trilogy of schoolgirl giallos; the series is comprised of this, What Have They Done to Your Daughters?, and Red Rings of Fear, which was directed instead by some other guy whose name I forget).
The best thing about the film may be Ennio Morricone's score, which lends the film much of its poignancy. Not to take anything away from Dallamano, he manages to make the audience squirm without showing anything (the murders, for instance, are largely unseen except for the aftermath). The flashback near the end where we find out what was done to Solange is especially sad and disturbing.
What sets this apart from other gialli is that it works not only as a mystery but as a strong drama. Fabio Testi is a little bland in his role (he's never really all that expressive) but it didn't really hurt the film.
Not quite Argento-caliber, but definitely more tragic than anything he did (perhaps equalled only by the end of Four Flies on Grey Velvet).
Watch it...or else.
This review of What Have You Done to Solange? (1972) was written by Camden N on 15 Aug 2010.
What Have You Done to Solange? has generally received positive reviews.
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