This is an early film from filmmaker/actor Paul Bartel. Corman fans should know Bartel from such films such as "Cannonball" and "Death Race 2000." Bartel made this before making "Eating Rauol," which was an excellent dark comedy. For some reason, this film didn't really grab me or entertain as much as some of the other b-fare that Bartel directed or starred in.
The plot is that Cheryl is a girl who ran away from home and ends up living at a hotel managed by her aunt. The hotel is kind of spooky and there is a lot going on behind closed doors that Cheryl begins to get wind of as the movie progresses. There is a big mystery surrounding the disappearance of a young model named Alice, which happened some time before Cheryl arrived at the hotel.
All in all, there is some suspense and mystery in the movie, but it is built up too much. There's a fine line between being un-suspenseful and making things way too suspenseful. This film seems to err on the side of being over the top in the suspense department. The result is that the movie is mundane in points because the suspense was built up too much. In addition, and without giving away the ending, there is no explanation of why the murders are taking place or what the back ground story is. I realize that some things are better left to the imagination, but really. There were some things that were explained, but not enough. I wouldn't say that the film was a total waste though. It did have some interesting moments and it does keep you guessing as to exactly what is going on.
The plot is that Cheryl is a girl who ran away from home and ends up living at a hotel managed by her aunt. The hotel is kind of spooky and there is a lot going on behind closed doors that Cheryl begins to get wind of as the movie progresses. There is a big mystery surrounding the disappearance of a young model named Alice, which happened some time before Cheryl arrived at the hotel.
All in all, there is some suspense and mystery in the movie, but it is built up too much. There's a fine line between being un-suspenseful and making things way too suspenseful. This film seems to err on the side of being over the top in the suspense department. The result is that the movie is mundane in points because the suspense was built up too much. In addition, and without giving away the ending, there is no explanation of why the murders are taking place or what the back ground story is. I realize that some things are better left to the imagination, but really. There were some things that were explained, but not enough. I wouldn't say that the film was a total waste though. It did have some interesting moments and it does keep you guessing as to exactly what is going on.