Review
Those who think of Lucio Fulci as just a horror director will be surprised by this one-of-a-kind mixture of sex comedy and political satire. Unfortunately, The Eroticist is a mixed bag: the script's sexual satire and political satire angles never quite blend together into a coherent whole and the film's pacing flags in the second half, when its political content begins to overwhelm the story. That said, Fulci fans will want to check it out just the same because it shows him using his skills in a different cinematic venue. The Eroticist is particularly notable because it allows Fulci to show off a flair for the erotic (often seen in his early 1970's giallo films) that he rarely got a chance to use after he began to focus on horror material. He also displays an often unheralded ability to work with actors: he gets very effective comedic performances from Lando Buzzanca as the conflicted politician hero and Laura Antonelli as the secretly lusty nun that he accidentally pulls into his orbit. It's also amusing to see the director use the suspense techniques he's known for to depict scenes where the hero tries to fight off his compulsion to grab an attractive set of buttocks(!). In short, The Eroticist isn't entirely successful but fans of Lucio Fulci will want to see it because it offers the director a noteworthy change of pace. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide
On the DVD
A History of Censorship featurette with actor Lando Buzzanca, cinematographer Sergio D'Offizi and make-up artist Giannetto De Rossi
Synopsis
Italian horror legend Lucio Fulci jettisons goes from scary to sexy with this blasphemous erotic comedy about a possessed politician who simply can't keep his hands to himself. After years of dedicating himself exclusively to the cause of politics, Italian senator Gianni Puppis finds his long-suppressed libido suddenly transforms him into a rampaging sex maniac. When a keen eyed photographer captures the potential future president fondling the posterior of a visiting female dignitary, a Dominican monk attempts to cure the politician with a relaxing retreat to a countryside nunnery. Once in the company of twenty-one stunning sisters, however, the senator quickly discovers that the word of God holds little sway over the urges of man. A sacrilegious sex-romp starring Laura Antonelli, Anita Strindberg, Agostina Belli, and Lionel Stander, The Eroticist offers a side of Lucio Fulci rarely seen by his many stateside fans. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
DVD Menu
- Disc #1 -- The Eroticist
- Play
- Chapters
- Setup
- English Subtitles: On
- English Subtitles: Off
- Special Features
- A History Of Censorship: Featurette With Actor Lando Buzzanca, Cinematographer Sergio D'Offizi and Make-Up Artist Giannetto De Rossi (42 Mins)
DVD Chapters
Disc #1 -- The Eroticist
1. Main Titles [2:06]
2. The Senator's Indiscretion [8:17]
3. Father Lucion [9:37]
4. Uncontrollable Urges [8:43]
5. A Handful Of Nun [8:28]
6. The Cardinal [6:41]
7. Therapy Session [9:11]
8. Under the Covers [4:12]
9. True Confessions [5:30]
10. House Calls [8:27]
11. A Foreign Affair [9:55]
12. Meeting Of the Minds [4:10]
13. The Sister's Request [10:24]
14. Busted [7:41]
15. Tragic Accident [3:38]
16. End Credits [2:24]
1. Main Titles [2:06]
2. The Senator's Indiscretion [8:17]
3. Father Lucion [9:37]
4. Uncontrollable Urges [8:43]
5. A Handful Of Nun [8:28]
6. The Cardinal [6:41]
7. Therapy Session [9:11]
8. Under the Covers [4:12]
9. True Confessions [5:30]
10. House Calls [8:27]
11. A Foreign Affair [9:55]
12. Meeting Of the Minds [4:10]
13. The Sister's Request [10:24]
14. Busted [7:41]
15. Tragic Accident [3:38]
16. End Credits [2:24]