FILM REVIEWS

Blind Target

Subrosa Studios DVD

Reviewed By

AmandaByNight

Jess Franco has made over 180 films, so love him or hate him, it’s hard not to admire the pure tenacity and passion he possesses for filmmaking. He’s proved himself more than once, mostly during the heyday of his career of the 70s and 80s, but Blind Target unfortunately falls into that category of Franco films that only pure enthusiasts will want to see.

The story revolves around Maria Beltran (a stone-faced Rachel Sheppard) who escaped her homeland, the impoverished San Hermosa, and stole away to America where she’s now a famous author. She’s recently written a book about San Hermosa and visits the old country to promote her manuscript, which takes several potshots at the small country’s political leaders. Upon arrival, she’s reunited with some old friends, including the voluptuous Beatriz (Tatania Cohen – a Spanish Jew? Nice!), whom Maria has a lesbian affair with. After some not so subtle threats, Maria decides to head back to America but Beatriz is kidnapped and now Maria must assassinate a political candidate or they will kill her and her lover…

Strangely, the synopsis sounds fairly intriguing but this befuddled political thriller is too lackluster and lazy to incite any real passion for the story. Hats off to Franco for a subdued shot on video thriller (he’s not really known for his subtlety) but there’s simply not enough action or engaging characters to movie the convoluted plot forward. Not to mention this film completely negates most of Franco’s usual trademarks. There is some nudity and there’s a short spate of torture, but it all happens to Maria, who manages to evoke one emotion, boredom. Lina Romay puts in an inspired and sinister performance as the abuser, and there’s a pretty entertaining, and well executed martial arts sequence (a ballsy move considering how low budget this film is) but alas, it’s too little too late.