TRULY an extended exercise in soap opera, La Signora Di Tutti tells the tale of Gaby, the daughter of a military man who has lived a life of scandal before becoming a successful movie actress. Her life story is told through flashback as she undergoes medical treatment for a suicide attempt that has taken place before her big comeback tour.

Typically, Ophuls is very visual, with the early medical scenes taking on an almost sci-fi feel, however the film quality and camera work shows its age and the clever touches that Ophuls brings to his later work barely feature, though he uses as many novelty cutting techniques as he can (fading in and out of shots is a particular favourite of his here).

The story is true hokum... our poor heroine finds that she men simply keep falling in love with her, with destructive consequences.

The main portion of the film is dedicated to showing how each member of a family falls for her starting with the intoxication of the son, but gradually affecting both his mother and father as well. Yup... it's all very torrid stuff with Isa Miranda looking beautiful, slightly bewildered and not a little dangerous in the lead role.

Not the greatest of the director's work this is one for romantics and fans of tragic love affairs.

Printer-friendly version