La chiave (1983)

"La chiave" (1983), known in English as "The Key," is an Italian erotic drama directed by Tinto Brass. The film is set in 1940s Venice during the Fascist regime. It centers on Nino Rolfe (Frank Finlay), a retired art professor, and his much younger wife, Teresa (Stefania Sandrelli). After twenty years of marriage, their sexual passion has waned. To reignite their relationship, Nino begins writing his sexual fantasies in a diary, leaving the key to the drawer intentionally in plain sight for Teresa to find. Teresa responds by keeping her own diary, detailing her desires and encounters, particularly with their daughter's fiancé, Laszlo. The film explores themes of jealousy, voyeurism, and the complexities of marital relationships against the backdrop of wartime Italy. Frank Finlay as Nino Rolfe: Finlay delivers a nuanced performance, portraying a man grappling with age, desire, and control, showing both vulnerability and a manipulative side. Stefania Sandrelli as Teresa Rolfe: Sandrelli's portrayal of Teresa is both sensual and complex, capturing her character's journey from sexual repression to liberation. Her performance is often highlighted as one of the film's strongest aspects. Tinto Brass's Direction: Known for his provocative style, Brass infuses the film with his signature eroticism. His direction focuses on visual storytelling, with an emphasis on the sensuality of the body and the environment. However, the film is sometimes criticized for its heavy reliance on sexual content at the expense of deeper character development.