In Rome, a killer kidnaps a British tourist and challenges the cops to a game of internet video-poker, with her life as the stakes. When they lose, an Irish policeman is brought in to assist with the investigation. Can they trace this lunatic, and how long before they receive an invitation to another game ?
Although it lacks the exceptional set-pieces of some of his other work, this is a reliably solid police thriller with suspenseful direction by the great Argento. The premise is a little bit thin for a whole movie, but the video-poker scenes are surprisingly tense and the film doesn't feel padded or overlong. It's a little clichéd for sure - workaholic cop with no personal life, unwilling partner with a murky past, obsessive killer with a chip on their shoulder - but Argento and Franco Ferrini's script moves along quickly and has some agreeable surprises along the way. Nicely shot in some dingy parts of Rome you don't normally see, and featuring a cool piano score by Claudio Simonetti. Unlikely leads Rocca and Cunningham both give fine, unpretentious performances, although the supporting cast are a little on the wooden side. This may be a minor work in Argento's canon but it features some great scenes, like the moment where Rocca suddenly notices the killer hiding outside her house, reflected in the glass of an ashtray. An agreeable thriller for suspense fans and a must for Argento addicts. Trivia - the kidnap victim who is saved (the Commissioner's daughter), is played by the elder of Argento's two daughters, Fiore. English title - The Card Player.
Although it lacks the exceptional set-pieces of some of his other work, this is a reliably solid police thriller with suspenseful direction by the great Argento. The premise is a little bit thin for a whole movie, but the video-poker scenes are surprisingly tense and the film doesn't feel padded or overlong. It's a little clichéd for sure - workaholic cop with no personal life, unwilling partner with a murky past, obsessive killer with a chip on their shoulder - but Argento and Franco Ferrini's script moves along quickly and has some agreeable surprises along the way. Nicely shot in some dingy parts of Rome you don't normally see, and featuring a cool piano score by Claudio Simonetti. Unlikely leads Rocca and Cunningham both give fine, unpretentious performances, although the supporting cast are a little on the wooden side. This may be a minor work in Argento's canon but it features some great scenes, like the moment where Rocca suddenly notices the killer hiding outside her house, reflected in the glass of an ashtray. An agreeable thriller for suspense fans and a must for Argento addicts. Trivia - the kidnap victim who is saved (the Commissioner's daughter), is played by the elder of Argento's two daughters, Fiore. English title - The Card Player.