To Be Twenty (Avere Vent’anni - 1978)

To Be Twenty is a cautionary tale of two young, liberated, free-spirited women who spend their days looking for somewhere to crash, someone to **** and to generally act like spoilt little brats, until a run-in with a group of thugs turns this apparent light hearted tale into a nasty slice of Euro-slime – if you watch the Italian cut of the movie, that is. If you watch the American cut it’s a fun, care-free sex comedy! How can one film vary so dramatically?

The Italian cut is the best, starting off with the introduction of the young ladies, Lia (Gloria Guida) and Tina (Lilli Carati), and their travels to Rome, where they join a communion and go about their day to day business. When the communion is raided by the police, the women are forced back on the road, stopping by a small café, which will result in a nightmarish finale that isn’t for the faint of heart.

The American cut starts at the café, working its way around the vicious attack that followed in the Italian cut, and has them searching for a ride to Rome and finishes with the raid on the communion. Laugh as the girl seduce big fat intellectuals, laugh as they seduce lonely old widowers, LAUGH as they molest unconscious men! Yes folks, these women are horny little sluts, and the director can’t stress that enough.

When the original ending comes round, you have to ask yourself: “did they deserve it?” As unpleasant as these girls are, as foul as their behaviour may be, did they deserve the treatment that befalls them? That’s where the film earned my respect, being bold and asking confrontational questions. Had these been two men going around acting like complete cocks, everyone would scream that it was deserved, but two fine looking ladies? Ooooh, touchy subject.

To Be Twenty is enjoyable in both of its edits. If you’re looking for some sleazy frolics then the American version will serve its purpose and provide you with some eye candy, the leads are gorgeous, and they know it. Those looking for something a little grimier will find plenty in the Italian version. The finale still has the power to shock and the actions carried out against the two girls are pretty distressing, even by todays standards.

DVD Label: Raro Video
Written and Directed by: Fernando Di Leo
Starring: Gloria Guida, Lilli Carati & Ray Lovelock

Visual: 16 x 9 Anamorphic (1:85.1)
Audio: English mono, Italian mono w/ English subtitles
Length: 94 minutes (Euro) & 81 minutes (US)