HERE BE SPOILERS, SO READERS BEWARE...
An American visitor to Italy discovers that her husband has gone missing. Most people pooh-pooh her concerns, suggesting that hubby might be chasing wine, women and song. Meanwhile the Italian police is investigating the death of an unidentified man found near a historic fountain. Could both cases be related ?
For about two thirds of its running time, "Il segreto del vestito rosso" is a pleasantly watchable thriller that moves at a good clip. The third part unravels because there's much that remains unclear about the involvement, the objectives and the nature of the main villain. Near the end the villain's identity is revealed with a proud flourish - tadaa ! - at which point one realizes that the reveal doesn't make much sense. For instance, why would this individual have chosen a life of crime ?
There are other plot developments that don't make much sense, either. At one point the police rescues the missing husband, who, as it turns out, has been tortured by merciless interrogators. The badly injured man is delivered into the care of a hospital, but without receiving round-the-clock police protection. Even the man's wife, who is extremely rich, neglects to hire a couple of bodyguards. She also neglects to contact her country's embassy, which, by now, should recognize she is indeed dealing with a great big honking emergency. True, some of the rich have busy social agendas, but you'd expect a spouse to annul a golfing lesson or two in order to make a few useful telephone calls.
I'll give "Il segreto" that, the delightful sets and costumes ooze beauty and style. The Italian locations are a sight for sore eyes, too. Ah, Italy, land of enchantment - though not necessarily of watertight plots.
An American visitor to Italy discovers that her husband has gone missing. Most people pooh-pooh her concerns, suggesting that hubby might be chasing wine, women and song. Meanwhile the Italian police is investigating the death of an unidentified man found near a historic fountain. Could both cases be related ?
For about two thirds of its running time, "Il segreto del vestito rosso" is a pleasantly watchable thriller that moves at a good clip. The third part unravels because there's much that remains unclear about the involvement, the objectives and the nature of the main villain. Near the end the villain's identity is revealed with a proud flourish - tadaa ! - at which point one realizes that the reveal doesn't make much sense. For instance, why would this individual have chosen a life of crime ?
There are other plot developments that don't make much sense, either. At one point the police rescues the missing husband, who, as it turns out, has been tortured by merciless interrogators. The badly injured man is delivered into the care of a hospital, but without receiving round-the-clock police protection. Even the man's wife, who is extremely rich, neglects to hire a couple of bodyguards. She also neglects to contact her country's embassy, which, by now, should recognize she is indeed dealing with a great big honking emergency. True, some of the rich have busy social agendas, but you'd expect a spouse to annul a golfing lesson or two in order to make a few useful telephone calls.
I'll give "Il segreto" that, the delightful sets and costumes ooze beauty and style. The Italian locations are a sight for sore eyes, too. Ah, Italy, land of enchantment - though not necessarily of watertight plots.