La cintura (1989)

"La cintura" (1989), also known as "The Belt," is a drama film directed by Giuliana Gamba.


The story centers on Vittorio, an American novelist teaching in Rome, who falls into a tempestuous affair with the beautiful but troubled Bianca. Their relationship, marked by conflict and physical altercations, escalates into an exploration of sadomasochism when Bianca gifts Vittorio an expensive leather belt with the clear intention of being whipped. This dynamic leads their relationship down a dark and self-destructive path.
Many reviews describe the film as a poor imitation of successful erotic dramas like Adrian Lyne's "9 1/2 Weeks" (1986). The narrative is criticized for lacking chemistry between the leads, James Russo as Vittorio and Eleonora Brigliadori as Bianca. The subplot involving a court scene where Vittorio describes his relationship to a judge is considered particularly boring. Additionally, the dubbed version of the film is said to detract from the erotic scenes.

Performances: James Russo's performance is often compared unfavorably to Mickey Rourke's, with critics noting his attempt to mimic Rourke's style but falling short. Eleonora Brigliadori's portrayal of Bianca is seen as not capturing the same level of sensuality or depth as Kim Basinger did in similar roles.