Paranoia aka A Quiet Place to Kill (1970) ★★★½
Clearly influenced by films such as Les Diaboliques, this is an atypical giallo, one which isn't really interested in murders and a black gloved killer. Instead, he concentrates on the character dynamics and interpersonal relationships between people who have good reason to be suspicious of those around them.
It's an unusual film to watch because it's unlike any of Umberto Lenzi's other films, with characters unsure whether to believe what they have seen, may have even been an influence on Dario Argento's acclaimed giallo Deep Red.
It's one of Lenzi's better made films but it's a shame I didn't find Carroll Baker or Jean Sorel – usually very interesting characters – particularly engaging. I was impressed with the young French actor Anna Proclemer, who is definitely the most interesting person on screen.
Because of the plot twists and ending, it's a film I'll revisit several times, no doubt at least once this year.
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