Breaking Point (1975)
Directed by Bo Arne Vibenius of “Thriller: A Cruel Picture” fame, this is a weird and disturbing art/porno/exploitation thriller with a subtle brilliance/insanity very few will grasp, and I am one of those few. For a film that is hyped up to be very sick and obscene among a small cult following, it’s easy to dismiss those claims judging from the lack of graphic violence or gore on first viewing. There are rapes but the rape scenes aren’t at the cartoon extremes like “Forced Entry” or “Sex Wish”. I actually thought the movie was weak the first time I watched it but then appreciated the film the second time around. It’s a very atmospheric film with surreal dreamlike sequences that are pretty fucked up when you start to think about it. There’s a scene where the main psycho shoots a fly off his erect dick with a rubber band that’s pretty crazy and then there’s the creepy scene that fucks around with your knee-jerk panic over pedophilia. The film has a whole theme about power, hate, and psychological decay. There is some violence of the gun and explosion variety but the psychosexual situations are where the mean-spirit of the film is at. This film is kind of like “American Psycho”, with the whole business man going insane with the misogynistic raping and killing within the bleak nature of the modern world, although this movie was made way before “American Psycho” was written, perhaps an influence? Either way, I think this movie is still solid on its own. Also noteworthy is the trippy music and cuts. Great film, although not something you can pop in for a casual mindless viewing, you got to be able to lose yourself in the depraved psychological atmosphere that the film builds up subtly.
Crude Dude's Verdict: words
~ joseangeles AT muchomail.com